Latest news with #ElizabethLilly
Buzz Feed
02-06-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
34 Lazy Cleaning Shortcuts
Microwave a bowl filled with water + lemon for 3–5 minutes — then leave the door closed for a few minutes so everything can steam — and you'll be able to wipe off every single dried-on food bit with one swipe of a paper towel. This also works with water + vinegar, or honestly just plain water. And of course you can wipe off with a sponge instead. I've been doing this for years, and have yet to find a gross microwave where this doesn't work wonders. Read my full review or watch the Nifty video. Skip the elbow grease on those extra greasy dishes with cooked-on grime, and spray them with Dawn's Foaming soap instead. Wait 10 minutes, then all that gunk will wipe away literally like magic. I mean, you're still washing dishes and there's no real shortcut for that, but seeing what it did in the above during and after, I don't think that you'll find much that anything requires too much scrubbing when you soak it in this for a second. In fact, Elizabeth Lilly, an editor here at BuzzFeed, swears by this stuff! She says: "I live without a dishwasher, and I honestly use that as an excuse to order takeout. But, as soon as I got my hands on a bottle of this stuff (regular Dawn is my go-to dish soap, BTW), I put it to use on both a saucepan I used to make homemade enchilada sauce *and* the casserole dish I baked those enchiladas, which had a ton of caked-on food. It really does work like I say it does! Like, scary well." Get four bottles from Amazon for $17.50. Lay down a layer of wax paper or paper bags on the tops of cabinets and furniture (especially in the kitchen) to catch greasy dust, then simply swap it out months later when it gets grimy. From This Old House and Simplify 101. Line your refrigerator shelves with absorbent, machine-washable mats to prevent small spills from drying to a sticky mess you have to painstakingly scrape off a little at a time. Instead, you just toss the dirty liner in with that week's towels. You could also totally cut cheap placemats to fit! These just might make it a little easier: They come in a convenient 12"x24" size, so they'll probably fit on your main shelves, and all you have to customize = the liners for the door shelves. Oh, and they're machine washable! Get a set of six from Amazon for $11+ (available in 28 colors and designs).Promising review: "I love these because I hate cleaning the refrigerator shelves. These have been a lifesaver. If they do get dirty or spills happen, I throw them in washing machine and hang to dry. Highly recommend." —keywestlvr Pop one of these cleaning pods in your Keurig coffee machine and "brew" it exactly the same way you make a regular K-Cup, and you'll have a cleaner coffee maker in less than, like, three minutes. (Way more efficient than like, running a rinse every single time you brew coffee.) You can use it up to once a week or so; basically it cleans all the built-up coffee residue and oils from the brew chamber and the pour spout, which will keep your coffee tasting more like it's supposed to (especially if you switch between different coffees on a regular basis). It's also good to use right before a tea or hot chocolate K-Cup so you don't have any coffee flavor contaminating it. Note that you'll still have to occasionally do the vinegar descaling process — these don't touch the water chamber or the other inner parts that get the mineral buildup from water — but you can use this along with that for for a truly deep a pack of five from Amazon for $ review: "Tried this as soon as I got it. Did the job, easy peasy. I am pleasantly surprised at how much 'cleaner' my coffee tastes now. Who knew! It recommends rinsing twice, but I did three times just to be sure. Great product!" —TRyder Save your stove from mess with stove burner covers that will be MUCH easier to clean than the regular stove would to mention not too hard or expensive to replace with a new order when one get just too impossibly messy. Not that I advocate replacing these every time they get dirty, they're def washable. But I think there could be particularly grimy, stuck-on occasions that would be justified. Get an 8-pack from Amazon for $10.99 (available in up to six colors and three sizes).Promising review: "These little covers are just fantastic! Easy to cut and form to the burners I need, super easy to wipe off or quick rinse if need be. They WILL burn if too close to the flame but it doesn't burn beyond what is touching the flame. I bought them because my guy, though a FANTASTIC cook and baker, is just a tad messy on the stove top, lol. This has helped me keep the stove top much cleaner. I have reused the original four of these for a year and finally just tossed the two most used/dirtied and replaced them. These are just amazing and very durable!" —AngsChaos Skip scouring big dirty travel mugs and water bottles. Instead, drop in fizzing cleaning tablets to banish those stains and get everything squeaky fresh and clean without needing any work or supervision from you. Make pet or lingering food smells vanish without lifting a finger: Just light a candle designed specifically to eliminate those sorts of scents. They're made with 100% soy wax and an odor neutralizer and will stop your house from smelling like wet dog or cat litter, no cleaning required. Phew! Get one on Amazon for $22.99+ (available in 8 scents).Promising review: "Takes away odor, doesn't just cover it up!! I have an old house with four dogs and these candles are what I should have been buying all along!!!! They really work!!!!" — Pop a bunch of things in the dishwasher to clean them all at once while you go and do literally anything else: dusty AC vent covers, sticky stove vent hood filters, grimy glass light covers, and even wrenches and screwdrivers can stand a go. From One Crazy House. For more, check out 16 Ways To Use Your Dishwasher To Clean Almost Everything You Own. Then clean all the gunk and scum out of your dishwasher by running it empty with a cleaning tablet. If cross-contamination has you concerned, this will cover you! It also helps dissolve any hard water buildup. Get 12 tablets (enough for a full year) for $17.67 on review: "Super simple to use and it works. I have hard water and also had a heating element that had given out. This quickly caked up the calcium buildup and started to give the dishwasher a "not so fresh" smell. I tried vinegar which didn't help, so I gave this a shot.I couldn't believe the difference. It practically cleaned 75% of the caked up matter in one go. I ran a second one the next day and reached about 95% of where I wanted to be. I think running this monthly as recommended should keep my dishwasher in great shape and smelling fresh." —mateo Gift your washer a similar deep-clean between loads with a washer cleaning tab specifically designed to keep it (and therefore the clothes you clean in it) smelling nice and fresh, too. Get a pack of six on Amazon for $10.18. Promising review: "I didn't understand why I couldn't just run bleach in my machine until I actually ran one of these. The key is that the tablet doesn't dissolve right away. So as the washer runs through several repeated cycles of fill, agitate, and drain, the tablet is still there, sudsing up the water on cycle #2 and #3. If you just put bleach in the soap dispenser, it would all be gone after cycle #1. This gets very sudsy and that probably helps it reach areas of the machine that wouldn't otherwise get touched." —aberson Clean and polish your stainless steel in a single, quick, satisfying step with a brilliant spray-and-wipe cleaner. I've seen this at work at my parents house (more on that below), and it genuinely shines stuff, like, immediately. Get it and a large microfiber cloth on Amazon for $ mom's had stainless appliances for well over a decade and a half now, and after she discovered this spray from reading our posts, said it works *wonderfully*, truly 100% better than any other kind of stainless cleaners she'd tried in the past!! Promising review: "I've tried at least 10 different products over the years and two homemade concoctions, frustrated with how long it takes to rub out the smears and streaks, never achieving the shine I'm looking for. This product was quick, easy and the shiny stainless appliances result I've been searching for is achieved. Eureka!!!" —Cat Spray some fume-free foam cleaner in your oven, let it all sit overnight, then easily wipe away the crud in the morning — the oven will look brand-new, and you get to spend more time catching up on your favorite shows. Technically, you can let this sit anywhere from two hours to overnight to get results. And while you might have to do *some* light scrubbing, it should be much easier than it would've been without this cleaner! Don't forget to spray it on the racks too (unless your racks have a special coating on 'em). Get a 24-ounce can on Amazon for $ review: "This stuff is amazing! Spray it on, let it sit overnight and wipe it out. Looks brand-new. I honestly didn't think this was possible. The grates had years of cooked on grease, sprayed right off in the sink. Can't wait to try it on the BBQ." —Kalub hall Dissolve hard water stains on your water faucets by wrapping them up in vinegar-soaked paper towels for an hour. The stains will wipe off in one go, and in the meantime, you're not scrubbing literally anything. From Lemons, Lavender, and Laundry. Or opt for miracle that is the no-streak, no-scratch The Pink Stuff, if you have a bunch of crud all around the house you want to take care of, but don't want to spend forever scrubbing down. Grab the tub and a rag, then go around and tackle everything — from that grimy stovetop to the random stain on your hallway wall to the scum- and hard water-encrusted mess that's your bathtub or shower — in mere minutes each. Grind up a garbage disposal cleaning packet — its foam will reach into the depths of the disposal for you to clean out every. single. last. inch. of smelly grime. Note that if you're disposal's clogged, though, this definitely won't take care of the problem. For that, you'll probably need to call a a pack of eight on Amazon for $11.75. Promising review: "I had noticed my disposal had a bad smell to it, but my the landlord doesn't do a great job at coming to look at things. I got this to clean it and hopefully help with the smell. I've been using it once a week, and I have noticed that the smell is gone and the disposal just sounds happier when being used. These are VERY simple to use. Take a packet (DO NOT open it) and put in sink after having warm water running for about a minute. Turn on the disposal. Run until the blue foam goes away. Perfection!" —L. Johnson Fill a dishwashing wand with vinegar and dish soap, then bust through (and prevent) soap-scum and hard-water buildup by scrubbing down the walls + door *while* you shower. It's the perfect excuse to stay in the warm steam just a little big longer! Just don't forget to rinse well afterward. From Smart School House. Get a dishwand from Amazon for $3.33, and a pack of two refills for $7.63. Or mist your shower walls, curtain/door, tub, fixtures and floor once a week after you turn off the water and you'll (almost) never need to deep clean your shower at all. This daily shower cleaner prevents *and* helps clean buildup of all kinds of nasties, including the dreaded soap scum and limescale, with no need to scrub — simply rinse the next day, right before you shower again. Get enough to last 12 weeks from Amazon for $ review: "Does a FANTASTIC job if used regularly. I love this product. I hate cleaning tubs. This product has made our tubs look new. I don't use it every every third. Just spray down everything after the shower, and forget about it. You DO need to rinse tub before the next shower due to product making it slick. The fumes of other cleaners always messed with my asthma. I have noticed that for some reason with this one, I sneeze twice, because I have to spray shower doors while I'm still in the it never affects my lungs. I would recommend this to EVERYONE!" —Angela GIllaird Wipe away built-up layers of soap scum and hard water stains on your glass doors with the help of a hard water stain dissolver — the reviewer who took the photos below said they used it with a microfiber towel and didn't even have to scrub. Get a bottle from Amazon for $19.99. Promising review: "This is literally the only thing that worked on my hard water stains on my shower doors. I tried everything else I could find and many Google remedies and nothing worked until this. It's super easy to use and requires little to no elbow grease, even on my hopelessly stained shower. I'm so glad I came across this on some random BuzzFeed list." —Kate R Tackle even the worst, most egregious rust stains with a spray-on cleaning gel that'll dissolve it right before your eyes. It literally takes only a few seconds to work before you can wipe and rinse it off! It'll also remove any rust stains from color-safe fabrics, among many other surfaces. (Some reviewers use it with a Magic Eraser, for extra oomph). Get two bottles from Amazon for $ review: "I'm new to the iron issue so I have been looking forever for something to clean up the nasty rust color of all my sinks/tubs/toilets. It's like a magic act…you spray and the rust disappears! Awesome. Will definitely be buying again!" —Tara Utsman Catch all the hair you and the people you live with shed in the shower using a silicone drain cover, so you can stop spending so much $$ on chemical de-cloggers and never have to call the plumber for help — the true lazy dream. This fits over pretty much any drain, whether it pops up, sinks in, or is flat and flush with the rest of the tub. It's made of silicone, which means even if it gets a little mildewy you'll be able to easily wipe the gross stuff off. The weighted top holds it in place, and your hair stays trapped while the water flows through. Get one on Amazon for $ review: "I put this over my tub drain to block my hair from clogging the pipes when I wash my hair in the shower. I love the silicone feel and it really works well in blocking the drain. It's super easy to clean and really does the trick. It's one of the best inventions since sliced bread, lol!" —Nema Llirehc Secure a plastic bag filled with vinegar + baking soda around your showerhead to descale hard water stains and break up mold or mildew while you go sit on the couch. I do exactly this about every six months or so, and it works every single time! See my full shower hack review. Clean your toilet like usual, then stamp some gel into the bowl to actually keep it that way for weeks and months at a time, and save yourself from having to scrub again in the near future. All you have to do is re-stamp as needed. If you can't imagine not using your toilet brush, you can use the small remaining bit of gel to scrub down the bowl before applying more. I used this in college and can personally attest it really does work!Get enough to keep your toilet clean for up to 10 weeks for $4.67 on review: "My favorite thing for lazy weeks when it comes to cleaning. It lasts a while and is easy to use. I may never go back to using traditional bleaching and cleaning maintenance after this!! My favorite bathroom hack." —Bea Run a line of no-odor mold and mildew remover gel along your gross grout and caulking to banish even seemingly embedded black spots from your bathroom without having to do more than simply rinse it away after a few hours. You do have to let it sit for 4–5 hours (or even overnight), but the results, as proven by the review photos like the one here, are worth it. The gel formula lets it stick and stay exactly where you put it down, which is why it works better than just spraying with regular bleach: The bleach stays right on the mold stain until it's gone, without drying up or running off. My best friend bought some of this from one of my posts and said it worked exactly the way I said it did — and when I saw her shower, all the grout and caulking were perfectly white! Get one tube from Amazon for $14.99, two tubes for $26.99 ($13.45/bottle), or three tubes for $36.99 ($12.33/bottle).Promising review: "I had some black grout in my shower, but I'm too lazy to scrub anything. Put this on, left overnight, and rinsed off for all perfectly clean-looking grout! One bottle was not enough for the full shower, but I only was doing a few specific spots. If you're doing your full shower I would recommend getting 3 bottles." —LR Banish stubborn buildup with a Rubbermaid power scrubbing brush. Yes, it's basically a giant toothbrush with a bigger head and stiff bristles designed to tackle all the grossest nooks and crannies around your home. The bristles scrub 60 times EACH SECOND, for a very thorough, very speedy clean. Or for larger areas, quickly shine up all kinds of impossibly dirty surfaces with drill scrub brushes. The embedded grit in your tubs, showers, grout, and oven doesn't stand a chance! The possibilities are endless; these drill brushes can tackle pretty much anywhere you have stubborn dirt, except maybe fabrics (naturally). The set of three comes with a small two-inch circle brush, a larger 4-inch circle brush, and the "original" brush, which is tbh basically shaped like a toilet brush, except with a base that attaches to your a set of three scrub brushes from Amazon for $18.95+ (five bristle-stiffness options available).Promising review: "I bought this on a whim because my walk-in shower is just a pain to clean. I'm 51 and I guess I've just been old school with how I clean, so hand scrubbing it was for years. The FIRST time I used these to clean my shower it took five minutes AND it scrubbed my shower more clean than it has been in years. In the corners, the floor, the glass came out squeaky clean. I'm NEVER cleaning my shower by hand again." —Terry To keep your floors cleaner than you ever thought possible without having to lift a finger (especially if you have pets or kids!) splurge a little on a robo vac. IDK about you, but there's zero way I'm ever going to vacuum or sweep every day without one of these little buddies doing it for me. This vac moves between hard floors and low-pile carpets/rugs without a glitch and can pick up all the accumulated dust, dirt, and hair left strewn about your home while you go do literally anything else. The reviewer who took the pic on the right above says that with a goldendoodle in the house, it picks up that much dust and hair EVERY DAY. Omg. Get it on Amazon for $ review: "Life hack! Makes my life so easy! Just turn it on and forget it! Make sure that all cords are put up otherwise it could end up pulling stuff off your counter. Some people don't like that it chooses its path randomly, but I find it kinda fun, and so does my dog. :)" —Amazon Customer Pick up pet hair *before* your beloved pup or kitty can shed it all over your furniture by petting them for ten minutes with this grooming glove. They win, you win. Former Buzzfeed editor AnaMaria Glavan recommends it: "The glove is super comfortable and using it couldn't be more foolproof: just put it on and run your hands through your pet's fur. That's it! The silicone grooves pick up so much fur with ease. Like, my dog looks close to hairless. HOW is he shedding so much!?!? After a few runs, I found that I would have to remove fur from the glove before continuing (you can pick up the fur with your other hand or run the glove under some water — either works) but it's no biggie. The silicone actually makes it really easy to keep this clean. We got Rockie when he was 5 and he'd been riddled with skin issues and allergies, so I was pretty nervous to use anything that could potentially aggravate his conditions. However! Not only does this *not* bother his skin, but he…loves this. A lot. He starts snoring after exactly two run-throughs on his back. Also, his coat looks SO shiny after each use! TL;DR: this is one of those inexpensive add-ons that any pet owner should have on hand."Get it from Amazon for $7.99. Swipe your lampshades and pillows with a lint roller to pick up all the built-up dust like, in an instant. From Creekline House. Get a pack of five lint rollers on Amazon for $19.99. And wipe down all your other surfaces with a microfiber duster, which attracts and holds onto dust like a magnet the FIRST time, instead of brushing it into the air just to settle again later. Okay so this isn't SO much of a shortcut — you still have to actually dust — but getting rid of the dust is THE key to a home that needs less dusting. This one from OXO is very thin so it can squeeze into tight crevices. To clean it you just run it through a gentle cycle in the washer, and air it from Amazon for $11.99 (or one with an extendable handle for $19.99).Promising review: "Saves time and energy! It's a bit too big for small, delicate knickknacks, but it's terrific for large or textured furniture. A few swipes and a dresser, piano keyboard, or TV is dust-free. Its size is also helpful if you're on the short side and want to reach the top of a door frame or bookcase, or give blinds a quick dusting. I haven't washed it yet but the fabric unsnaps from the plastic handle easily. I'm very happy with this purchase and wish I would've made it a long time ago!" —Olivia D. A. Tackle even more dust with a single wipe of the Baseboard Buddy, if you're bothered by the buildup on your baseboards, ceiling fans, and crown molding. It extends up to 4 feet, so you can simply walk around holding it to get results, no bending over, crawling on your hands and knees, or climbing on a step stool. Rubber-band microfiber cleaning cloths to your kitchen tongs to pick up literally all the dust from your blinds. From One Crazy House. Get a pack of 24 microfiber cleaning cloths for $7.99 from Amazon. Or opt for a slotted microfiber blinds duster that does the same thing, but for two blinds at a time. Two blinds = you could easily make one window's blinds look basically brand new in under 10 minutes. Plus it comes with five microfiber sleeves, which means you can finish all the blinds in your home without stopping to clean it off over and over — you just pop all the covers in the wash when you're one from Amazon for $7.99 (available in two colors).Promising review: "A super time saver. It legitimately used to take us hours to clean all the blinds. My wife now does all the faux-wood Venetian blinds in the house in about one hour. It's really nice that it comes with some spare cloths for it, and it's cheap enough to buy a whole additional set so we can make more than one kid do this chore at the same time." —R.D. Encounter a really gross, big, pain-in-the-butt cleaning job? Whip out some heavy-duty cleaning wipes — with 'em, it only takes a few swipes to remove grease, oil, tar, ink, paint, permanent marker, food stains, and so much more. Get a tub from Amazon for $ review: "These towels are awesome for so many things. They are large and very sturdy, so they work well for household cleaning. The real benefit for me, though, is having a wipe that works for things like the grill, the oven, the dashboard of my car, muddy shoes, chairs and umbrellas that go to soccer games and practices, and lawn furniture. I frequently wipe something down, rinse the towel, and wipe again. The wipes are heavy enough to go through three to four rinses and wipes and still hold up." —COMom You, when your partner asks you to do something after you've tried just one of the things on this list:
Buzz Feed
02-05-2025
- General
- Buzz Feed
At A Loss For How To Organize Your Space? Reviewers Love These 31 Products
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. If there's one thing the World Wide Web has been great for, it's for learning how to organize that one place in your home that seems to resist being wrangled. 1. An over-door pantry organizer to turn all that wasted door space into a storage-filled organizer. This six-tier hanging door rack keeps all of your essentials in reach and spares you from a scavenger hunt every time you try to find your corn starch. Promising review:"Review from mom: so easy to put together. Very light. The bottom has clear sticky pads to keep it against the door, but I doubled up and used some command strip hooks for extra security, because kids. 😅 Would recommend it!" — Jason S. Get it from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in two colors and four sizes). 2. A slim organizer tray for your cutlery that treats your flatware like royalty. 👑 Besides the obvious benefit of keeping them from crashing around, this tray angles your items handle-out, saving space and making reaching in and grabbing one noticeably easier. Here's what BuzzFeeder Elizabeth Lilly has to say about it:"I have VERY narrow kitchen drawers in my NYC one-bedroom apartment kitchen and buying one of these organizers has transformed my cutlery drawer. I'm able to safely reach in and grab whatever I need (like a manual can opener for tuna salad or a mini whisk for a hot chocolate) without having to sift tools around." Promising review:"New way to organize your silverware that has a sleek design. TikTok made me buy this! It's a perfect design to not have as much clutter in your drawer. Great for ADHD people to see exactly what silverware is in which slot with the tiny pictures indicating a knife, a spoon, and a fork!" — Haley Lutz Get it from Amazon for $7.49+ (available in two sizes and in other styles). 3. A portable board game organizer to keep your board game collection not only more glamorously organized, but also keep them from turning into a chaotic jumble of switched-up pieces and missing dice. These cases hold most games, are built to last, and will finally make keeping track of all your Monopoly money a little bit easier. Promising review: "We loved these containers and have now bought 20 to hold our entire game closet! We have been able to fit several games in some. Easy to store and easy for my kids to find and then put away when finished. Good quality, haven't had any problems with durability yet, and we play a LOT of games." — bradfieldfamily Get a 10-pack from Amazon for $45.99 (also available in a pack of six thick containers). 4. A mirror entryway organizer to help you get out the door without the 7+ trips it takes to get keys, wallet, cell phone, and sneak a quick 'fit check in before you head to work. With its sleek, wall-mounted design and integrated shelf and hooks, you'll be out the door in a flash and wondering where all your clutter went. Target Promising review:"This is perfect in my entryway! I love that we can put our keys and whatever else we don't want to forget on the way out the door. Perfect size." — Shields112 Get it from Target for $60. 5. A two-tier, slide-out basket so all of your favorite cleaning products can ride in style – I'm imagining these to be like those double-decker London buses, personally. With their smooth-sliding action and easily customized storage bays, soon enough you'll be giving tours of your sparkling clean dwelling. Amazon Promising review:"These are great if you have limited bathroom storage. You can put several items in each drawer. They are easy to pull in/out, and if you want to take the drawers out completely to remove the basket, they aren't stuck on a track, which I like. Great quality materials, sturdy, and easy to clean." — ee Get it from Amazon for $17.51+ (available in five colors and a style with a set of dividers). 6. A too-cool media console if you want your living room to have a Christopher Nolan feel for your Batman movie marathon. This sleek slatted console has cabinet doors and space for days, making it perfect for stashing all your home media devices as well as your Blu-ray collection. Joss & Main Promising reviews:"AMAZING! This TV stand is perfect, exactly as in the picture. Quality is very good, and assembly was easy and fast. I recommend." — Alice "We just received this console, and so far it's perfect! It's very sturdy, well built, and it fits well with a 65-inch TV. I like that you can leave the legs off, as the height worked better for us. It came very well packaged and quickly! Would definitely recommend!" — Ashleigh Get it from Joss & Main for $1,199 (originally $1,499). 7. A set of compression storage bags that can absolutely CRUSH your storage problems. Well... compress them at least. 😝 These bags don't require a clunky auxiliary pump to do their magic. Instead, put your sushi-making skills to work and just roll, roll, roll! If homemade sushi brings up bitter memories of misshapen rice logs, we promise this is a lot easier. Promising review:"Wasn't sure if this was really going to work or if it was as easy as they made it out to be, but I am sold, and they are working great. Very happy with the purchase." — Amazon Customer Get them from Amazon for $15.98 for an eight-pack. 8. A set of Wonder Hangers to fit basically TWICE (!!) as many clothes into your closet as you may have otherwise. Featuring a genuinely big-brain design, these hangers allow you to expand/collapse whole groupings of clothes instead of having to rifle through hanger after hanger. Believe me, after investing in a few pairs of these myself, I breathe a sigh of relief each time my closet door swings open. Amazon Check out a TikTok of the Wonder Hangers in action. Promising review:"These are so clever and versatile! I live in an old house with tiny closets, so I must get creative. These are great because they can be used hanging horizontally or vertically. I also found they work great for hanging camisoles and tank tops. I can see what I have and take just the one I need!" — Therese Van Heuveln Get it from Amazon for $19.90+ (available in six colors). 9. And if you're looking for a cute place to put those compressed off-season clothes, a flip-top storage bench will do just the trick! Also, you won't have to ruffle your freshly made bed just to tie your shoes. Plus, it can hold all of your extra sheets, blankets, pillows, tissue box backups, or anything else that likes to be bed-adjacent but nice and out of sight. 🥷 Ying / Wayfair Promising review:"It's so cute, love it for my dog to jump onto the bed, too!" — Olivia Get it from Wayfair for $189.99+ (originally $329.99+; available in nine colors and two leg styles). 10. A U-shaped shelf organizer that'll give your spices the stadium seating they've always deserved. Free up access to everything you're reaching for, and even totally outsource your spice-buying by picking up the rack and 20 spices combo! You can get several if needed, arranging them side by side if your shelf is wide enough, or stacking them if you have a tall cabinet. Promising review:"Product is perfect for what I need it to do. Fits just right, is more than sturdy enough, and has made my absolutely nightmarish spice cabinet look awesome. No more duplicate spices going bad in the back of the cabinet! It's not at all difficult to assemble. Watch the assembly videos (they're short) before you start opening the parts bags. Otherwise, it's easy to get intimidated by all of the extra pieces." — Congaree Get it from Amazon for $29.99+ (also available with 20 spices included). 11. A set of glass jars with bamboo lids because your bathroom counter deserves a vibey glow-up. Think of all it's given you! These little bamboo-fitted apothecary lids will make you feel like you've stumbled into your very own OrganizeTok inspo. The set of 12 labels includes six blank ones so you can write your own and six pre-written ones with various bathroom needs (cotton balls, cotton swabs, cotton pads, hair ties, floss picks, bath salt). Promising review:"These are actually cuter than I expected! They are a tad smaller than some I've seen, but they actually looked great and can hold plenty of cotton swabs and cotton balls in the spare bathrooms. I have mine on a serving tray with a candle and vase, and they look great without taking up too much space!" — tara savage Get a set of four from Amazon for $9.99+ (also available in packs of two and three). 12. An adjustable bakeware rack that will keep your baking trays (and the high decibels of moving them around) in check. You deserve to recreate your favorite Great British Baking Show favorites without negotiating an avalanche of sheet pans every time. Promising review:"By the picture, I was expecting a lightweight plastic base with flimsy metal uprights that would hold a lightweight pan or cutting board. BOY WAS I WRONG!!!! This is a very heavy-duty base with a good grip on the bottom. The uprights are heavily coated wire to prevent scratching of the items they hold. I am SO PLEASED with the quality of this rack that I will be ordering a couple more to use for my skillets. Buy with confidence as these are really a quality product." — labbie1 Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in two sizes). 13. A set of fridge organizers because you shouldn't have to play Tetris with all your condiments every time you're trying to grab an apple. These transparent organizers keep your fridge looking clean, make it easy to identify some not-so-great produce, and make cleaning your fridge out an absolute breeze. Promising review: "For this item, save yourself the time reading the reviews and just buy the refrigerator organizing storage bins. You will love these bins if you need the organization and ease of locating refrigerator items. The bins are that good and more! I wish I had bought these bins years ago!!! The seller was prompt with delivery with no issues." — Carol Get a set of eight from Amazon for $23.99 (available in four sizes and also in sets of 2, 4, 6, 10, and 14). 14. And a set of chic glass food storage containers that will elevate your microwaved leftovers to Michelin status, all while decluttering your cabinets. Not only are these nontoxic, zero-plastic, and oven-, freezer-, and microwave-safe – they also just look... great. With a frosted glass base and colored trim, you won't even need to replate to feel ~fancy.~ Amazon The set comes with one large deep dish and one large shallow dish. Promising review:"I grabbed a set and was impressed at the high-quality build and finish. The steam release handle is nice as the handle collapses, and they can stack. Very thick and durable, and I really hate glass things, but it looks like these will hold up under the use of a clumsy member of the household. Yeah, the metal ring on the top is not an issue. They seal well, and my wife loves them. We have used them for a few weeks, doing various tasks, and they have proven themselves. Not a gimmick." — Dean Palmer Get it from Amazon for $69.99 (available in three colors, and also in other sets and styles). 15. A set of two cabinet shelf organizers, which can give you the full use of your cabinet space that you've been craving. If you find yourself vexed trying to find a way to accommodate all your mixed-height items – looking at you, weirdly tall bottle of olive oil – then these guys are for you. Amazon Promising review:"These shelves are absolutely perfect for the cabinet above the oven where I keep all my glasses and mugs. Great solid quality, very sturdy and well made, and because they are stackable, they fit the cabinet perfectly." — PCDoc54 Get it from Amazon for $20.99+ (available in two sizes and 12 colors). 16. Or a stackable cabinet drawer if you need a little extra shelf space/decluttering potential in your cabinets, and if aesthetic unity is a MUST. These guys stack on top of each other – so they're also super modular. Promising review:"Sturdy, so easy to set up, and has made a huge difference organizing everything under the kitchen sink! I'm able to keep all my pet items in the drawer, and bottles on the shelf on top. No more bottles piled on top of each other!" — Alison L. Carter Get it from Amazon for $25.87+ (available in two finishes). 17. A broom and mop organizer that you can easily install on some available wall space. With this thing, your cleaning closet won't just hold all your cleaning stuff, it'll actually look clean, too! Promising review:" grips like a vise and sturdy. It's mounted between my fridge and the wall, and it's made it very clean and easy to use. The floor stays clean because the broom is not sitting on it, and it's easy to find because it now has a home. The mop is elevated off the floor, making it easy to clean up. The hooks allow for towels and other things to be used. Definitely, a must-buy if you own a broom or mop." — duana Get it from Amazon for $8.49+ (available in two sizes and two colors). 18. An upholstered storage bed for those who need more from their bed than a place to lay their head. If you feel like your bed frame is slacking off, this one's for you! The headboard comes complete with charging ports, and the platform has three wheeled drawers, so you'll finally be able to have your bedroom be just that — the room where your bed is (as opposed to an extension of your linen closet). Wayfair Promising review:"Ordered the bed — very beautiful, comfortable, and collected quickly. Thank you, we are satisfied!" — Anonymous Get it from Wayfair for $319.99+ (originally $503.89+; available in queen–king and in three colors). 19. A set of wood and epoxy wall hooks because with swag like yours, you should let everybody know what hats, bags, and totes you rock! These stylish hooks add panache to not only your hallways but also to your soon-to-be effortless out-the-door strut. There's nothing more defeating than having to duck back inside and rummage in your drawers for something you forgot, is there? (By the way, we totes think you rock, too. 🤘😝) Art Epoxy Wood Interior / Etsy Promising review:"I love these hooks. They're the perfect addition for our entry. The quality is superb and they came with everything needed to hang them!" — lucy p. Get them from Art Epoxy Wood Interior on Etsy for $23.56+ (available individually or in sets of 2–6 and 10 styles). 20. A Shoe Slotz space saver to make sorting through your footwear feel more like browsing through a nice little library instead of a cruel and unusual punishment. These bins not only store your shoes, but they also stack, freeing up some valuable real estate where you probably need it most. Here's what BuzzFeed Shopping editor Sally Elshorafa has to say about this handy organization unit: " This product SAVED MY SHOES! I have an awkward set of built-in shelves in my closet, and it was the only place I wanted to put my shoes. As you can see from the before pic (above), it was a big mess; my shoes were piled on top of each other and getting really dirty. Traditional shoe caddies or boxes didn't really work because there's not much horizontal space, so I tried the Shoe Slotz. It fixed the problem perfectly! Because the design smartly stacks one shoe on top of the other, you save 50% of the space you'd normally use to store your shoes." Get them from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three pack sizes). 21. A plastic drawer-organizer set perfect for someone who needs all of the organization. There's truly nothing more satisfying than the slow reveal of a perfectly organized drawer being pulled out. Well, except for every drawer being organized, that is. This set of clear trays will keep you covered in all of your organizational agendas with less of a one-size-fits-all as much as an all-sizes-fit-one approach. Promising review:"These are so useful in my pantry, my linen closet, my drawers in the kitchen, my drawers in the vanity in the bathroom, and in the bedroom. I used up every one of these little containers in so many different ways, they are the perfect size for organizing drawers and shelves." — Marsha M Get it from Amazon for $17.99+ (available in eight colors). 22. A GORG record storage cabinet since you and vinyl go together like peanut butter and jelly. Give yourself a space for your impressive collection, amplifier, and turntable with room to spare! Promising review: 'Great piece! Holds roughly 75–80 records and my record player. Sturdy solid wood and easy to put together.' — Jasmine Get it from Wayfair for $166.99+ (originally $289; available in three finishes). 23. A gorgeous file storage box if you'd rather tuck away your documents in something that could pass for a decorative basket instead of a larger metal filing cabinet. With a sumptuous woven exterior and a deeply sleek look, you'll be printing things out just to have something to store in it. Target Promising review: 'I was looking everywhere for a system that could hold coupons and mail that still looked nice being out in my house. Most of what I found was either really geared toward an office setting or was mesh metal. I am so glad I could find this. It sits right in my entryway and hides all my coupons or mail that I don't want sitting out for my guests to see. It doesn't come with hanging file folders, but I bought a box of those to pair with this, and they fit great. I'm planning on keeping restaurant menus, schedules, whatever I want, filed away but still at the ready so I don't have to dig it out of my office. The lid comes off all the way, so if you use this often, that may be annoying for some people. It is fine for my purposes.' — Jay Get it from Target for $25. 24. A set of storage cubes if you have a little niche of space you'd like to organize, or if you're trying to create a little shelving for yourself where nothing is already. These cubes click together easily, allowing you to finally have a place for that one thing that just seems to float around... you know the one I'm talking about. Promising review:"I put these in my closet to make extra shelves for sweaters/sweatshirts. They were easy to assemble and worked great at adding additional space to my closet. I like that my clothes don't topple over into the pile next to them anymore. They were easy to put together, and if I move, they will be easy to take apart, put in a small box, and move. I'm very happy with this purchase." — Goldensummerdog Get them from Amazon for $26.99+ (available in five colors and two sizes). 25. A carousel closet organizer if you've got everything but your shoes and accessories all figured out. Don't worry, we got you! With five shelves and enough pockets to hold 20 pairs of shoes, this perfect closet add-on pulls its weight and then some. Walmart Promising review:"Space-saving multi-storage organizer. An absolute must in the closet for storing mini bags, socks, swimwear, and of course, shoes. The rotating feature helps a lot to make sure you can reach the required item. The fabric is made of canvas. Good storage space and must-have." — Mayuri Get it from Walmart for $24.98. 26. A set of six drawer organizers to help you tame those seemingly intractably messy sock and underwear drawers. Or, you know, whatever drawers you need to deal with. These flexible bins can take any drawer from disorganized to Pinterest-worthy in the time it takes to put away your socks. Promising review:"Perfectly suited for my needs. Just as described. Soft-sided/foldable, yet sturdy. Easy to assemble. Portable/great for travel!" — Ania Max Get a set from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in three set sizes and six colors). 27. A stove shelf that turns the top of your stove from a no-man's land, that might precariously hold a salt shaker, into a vast expanse of additional kitchen storage for often-used items like cooking oils and seasoning. Or flip the script and use your shelf as a cookbook perch or tablet stand to follow online recipes with precision! Promising review:"What a great idea! Simple and effective. Since we have a stainless steel stove, it looks like it was designed with this feature. I can see appliance manufacturers incorporating this feature in their stoves in the future. This plate holds onto the stove with magnets, so I wouldn't place heavy objects on it, but spices or small decorative accents are perfect." — Ken C. Get it from Amazon for $39.99+ (available in three sizes and colors). 28. A pair of amber glass pump dispensers because there's a certain je ne sais quoi about a counter full of brandless bottles. Whether it's an at-home latte station or a bit of minimalism in your washroom, these classic bottles will add a dash of sophistication to any area/application they find themselves in. Pair them with a label-maker to really up the ante. Promising review:"Loved using this for my coffee syrups for my espresso machine. They're a good size and very functional. I bought a standard label maker for them, but they actually came with some other labels too." — Dana Rice Get a pair from Amazon for $14.99. 29. And, oh look, a portable Bluetooth label maker to go with them (I might've planned that). It's as cute as a button, and, incidentally, that's also all it takes to use it! Don't let its cute looks fool you, though; this label maker is a powerhouse when it comes to printing and sticking. With the different templates and an inkless printing method, your freshly labeled pantry containers or home office will change from dream to reality with the press of you get it! 🤪 Promising review:"This product is just great. I have been using it for several weeks now and am constantly in the app thinking up new label ideas. At times, I am so bored, but since getting the D30 printer, I have been so distracted and immersed for weeks in the app, creating and thinking of new labels — I have even seen some mental health benefits, my anxiety and stress I suffer from have gone down some because I am in the app so often. Who knew a simple label maker could be so fun!" — DC Get it from Amazon for $17.96+ (available in five colors). 30. An over-the-toilet storage unit so that you can finally store all those scented candles, TP surplus, and ALL THE BATHROOM THINGS. With a mixture of open shelf space and a frosted glass cabinet, you'll find a home for both your trophy air plants and also your ~unmetionables.~ Amazon, Promising review:"This is exactly what we were looking for for a bit more storage in our rental house bathroom. To avoid holes in the wall, we attached it with Command strips, and it works great! We also don't have children and aren't worried about littles climbing on it. But for two adults who aren't rough on our furniture, the strips hold it to the wall great!" — Michelle Get it from Amazon for $73.56. 31. And a cloud-shaped toilet paper holder if you need a bit of cloud storage in your bathroom... Get it? Store your TP with pride – especially if you have some kind of luxury option you want to show off – and enjoy a little lavatorial levity while you do it. Uncommon Goods Promising review:"Filled a useless space above the toilet with something practical and unique. When I was bringing the box up to my apartment several people on the elevator asked where I found it." — Kathy the cat lover Get it from Uncommon Goods for $145+ (available in two sizes). The reviews for this post have been edited for length and clarity.
Buzz Feed
01-05-2025
- Buzz Feed
If You, Like Me, Pack Like A Doomsday Prepper, Then You'll Be Very Happy These 41 Travel Products Exist
1. A packing list pad that's *very* comprehensive and can help you decide what you need to pack in your checked bag versus your carry-on. It even includes essential documents like your passport and ID, because forgetting those would be a nightmare. Say goodbye to anxiously trying to remember if you brought a charger because this simple list has already thought of everything for you! Amazon Promising review:"I hate packing — I mean, I really hate packing! I am always afraid I am going to forget something, and the entire ordeal is a stressful one for me. Since I have to travel a lot, this is a game changer. No more guessing if I forgot my underwear — everything I need is on this list. I am thinking of just keeping one bag totally packed, filled with the items on the list, and just add my suit in when I am ready to travel. :)" — Dr. Oceanfront Get it from Amazon for $7 (available in three colors). 2. An Apple AirTag because when you've packed half your closet, losing a bag isn't an option. This gadget allows you to track your luggage right from your phone, so whether it's under the plane or taking an unexpected detour to another city, you'll always know where it is. Promising review:"I have never used these in over 2 million miles of traveling by plane. However, after a recent trip to Europe, I will never leave home with them again. They saved me when my bags were placed on a connecting flight. Upon arrival, when my bags never showed. I went to the airline's lost baggage center. They could not tell me where my bags were. I had to show them that they were sitting in Terminal E at the Atlanta airport. They are now part of every piece of luggage we own." — Amazon Customer BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly had a similar positive experience using her AirTags during international travel — you can read her story here! Get it from Amazon for $24.99 (also available in a four-pack for $69.99). 3. A compact first aid kit stocked with essentials for scrapes, blisters, stings, and any random splinters you get while backpacking through Europe. It's small enough to toss in your bag but packed enough to keep any minor injuries from turning into trip-ruining emergencies. This compact first aid kit includes 10 round bandage adhesive strips, five butterfly strips, 100 small (40x10mm) strips, 100 standard adhesive strips, one triangle bandage, 10 gauze swabs, five cotton swabs, one burn dressing, one instant ice pack, one emergency blanket, eight soap wipes, one PBT bandage, a pair of plastic scissors, a tourniquet, one adhesive tape, a pair of tweezers, one set of safety pins, 10 wipe pads, and a sturdy first aid bag. Promising review: "Perfect for my vacation, a 'just in case' kit. Definitely worth the value, a neatly packed first aid kit with ease of use. It fits perfectly in luggage, looks great, and all its contents are suitable for use should an emergency occur." — Samora Get it from Amazon for $19.99 (available in 11 colors and three sizes). 4. A capacious travel backpack to make the most out of your personal item (just make sure you can still stuff it under the seat). It has two laptop sleeves, a secret anti-theft pocket, a USB charging port, a shoe compartment, and a bag to isolate your dirty clothes or keep liquids away from your electronics. This thing is like the LeBron of backpacks. 🏀 Promising reviews:"Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." — Angie J "This is the second bag we ordered. It holds sooooo much. We use a carry-on and this bag for our trips to Florida. No more checking bags." — Georgette Get it from Amazon for $22.29+ (available in four sizes and 34 styles). 5. An Arden Cove anti-theft *and* waterproof vegan-leather purse with enough space for all your travel essentials, and even a Kindle. There's an RFID-blocking compartment for your cards, so you don't need to bring your wallet if you don't want to. This is just THE "it girl" of travel purses. Arden Cove is a woman-owned brand founded by sisters Carmen and Karin Yuen after carrying disappointing bags and gear while globetrotting. It has a waterproof body and zipper, slash-proof lining all around, locking zippers, RFID blocking material, a chain shoulder that strap attaches to a post or chair, built-in wallet, shoulder pad on strap for added comfort, bottom studs to protect it from wear and tear when setting the bag down, and an interior D-ring to attach a keychain. Promising review:"Just got back from two weeks in Athens and the Greek islands and loved this purse for travel. It has all the security options that give piece of mind but it's also cute enough to take for an evening out. It's smaller than what I typically carry, but I found the interior design meant I eliminated a wallet and other internal holdalls, plus the position of the purse cross body made it a perfect location to easily get to my passport, phone, etc." — Chris Jones Get it from Amazon for $179 (available in seven colors and three chain drop lengths). 6. Or just an RFID-blocking travel wallet to keep your most important documents protected and together. This thing is nicely organized — so when you're going through security, you *won't* be frantically digging through your bag for your passport as the TSA agent glares at you. The wallet has a passport pocket, boarding pass compartment, three credit card slots, an ID slot, a slim card pouch, a slim pocket, a ticket slot, a cellphone pouch, a coin zippered pocket, a key holder, and a pen holder. Promising review:"I bought this for traveling to make it easy to have my vaccine card, passport, cards, cash, and boarding tickets close and all in one place. But I've loved it so much that it's now become my everyday wallet for over a year! High quality and holds up well to daily use." — Lydia J Get it from Amazon for $13.99+ (available in 30 colors). 7. A travel brush with a hidden compartment so you can smuggle in those last few must-haves your overstuffed bag couldn't handle, like ibuprofen, toothpaste, Neosporin, and (of course) extra hair ties. The combo of boar and nylon bristles gently detangles without adding static — because travel days are chaotic enough without frizzy hair on top of it. This even comes with 20 hair ties if you're running low! Promising review: "I don't typically write product reviews, but this brush is amazing! It easily glides through and detangles wet or dry hair, and really helps in eliminating frizz and flyaways. Had a friend almost take it from me as it went right through her thick hair extensions without getting snagged or caught. The in-brush storage is genius, too — no more fumbling around searching for accessories!" — Stefanie Genovesi Get it from Amazon for $19.95 (available in two colors). 8. A set of Snug Plugs for those old, worn-out hotel outlets that can't hold a charger to save their life. Just pop it in the outlet, and voila! — no more waking up for a jam-packed day only to realize your phone didn't charge overnight because the adapter fell out of the wall. Snug Plugs is a small business that specializes in home improvement products. Promising review:" I'm a flight attendant and spend a TON of time in hotel rooms. Sometimes there is limited outlet availability and often, the outlets that are available have been so used that they are extremely loose. I travel with several devices that require nightly charging, no exceptions. These little Snug Plugs have been a game changer! I don't have to drain external batteries to make sure my phone charges and my alarm goes off. I don't have to stack things on the bathroom countertop where the only usable plugs are. They take up no extra space in my charging cord bag. They're great! Well worth the money!" — Dana Young Get a pack of 10 from Amazon for $10.99 (available in a pack of 25 and a glow-in the dark option). 9. A slim-profile phone power bank that'll keep your phone juiced up when there's no time to sit and charge the battery during your super short layover. This one is small but mighty (it can fully charge an iPhone up to three times!) and perfect to have with you on long days. Promising review:"Originally bought this for a business conference I had. What a life saver. Not only did it get me through the conference, but it got me though a six-hour travel day while listening and participating in Zoom meetings. It is lightweight and fits in your jacket pocket." — Allison Graham Get it from Amazon for $25.99 (available in two colors and in a pack of two). 10. Or a solar-powered portable charger so you don't end up lost in the middle of Bali with a dead phone and zero access to Google Maps (or Translate). It can charge two devices at once, is waterproof, and comes with built-in LED flashlights *and* a mini compass — basically, it's the "just in case" hero you'll want in your bag at all times. You can also charge it via outlet! Promising review: "I got this power bank for camping and general backup power, and it's been a solid purchase. The battery lasts a long time — I can charge my phone several times before needing to recharge it. The dual USB ports are handy for charging two devices at once, and the fast charging actually works. The built-in flashlight is bright and useful, especially at night. The solar charging is a nice feature, but it's slow, so I wouldn't rely on it as the main way to recharge. Still, it's great for keeping the battery topped up if you're outside all day. It feels durable, not flimsy like some other power banks. Overall, a great option if you need something reliable for travel, camping, or emergencies." — E Get it from Amazon for $18.99. 11. A lightweight electric water purifier in case you travel to a country where you can't drink the tap water or end up in a situation where you have to drink questionable river water. It has a five-stage filtration system, can run for up to 15 days (!!) on a single charge, and can recharge via solar panel, car power, or a portable battery. There's even a built-in emergency light and a handy storage bag that clips to your belt or bag! Just put the pump in the water you want to drink, then turn on the machine and it'll flow through the filter and come out of the spout. Promising review: "My three friends went on a river trip. Each of us had our own water purifier. Mine was the only electric one, and let me tell you, it is super convenient. Every time we had a quick stop, I provided the water for everybody so we could roll camp up quicker. When we would stop for the night, they would pull out their gravity filters. While I think it might be good to have both, the rechargeable battery on my water filter was just a super selling point. We were out for three days and I did not have to recharge it." — Zatoichievi Get it from Amazon for $49.98 (available in two colors). 12. Some Tide sink packets that allow you to wash your smelly clothes in the sink so they don't stink up your bag. These can easily fit in your toiletries bag — even when it's packed to the brim — and you'll be so glad you brought them when you run out of clean underwear. Tide BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly is a big fan of these: "Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. I've packed these on international trips to much success!" Promising review: "I bought these just in case. I'm the overly prepared type. And then I was sitting there in Florence eating this incredible sandwich for lunch, and it all came pouring out the bottom on to my linen pants. Olive oil, liquid from sundried tomatoes.... FUUUUUUUUDGE. Luckily we were eating in our room, so I immediately stripped my pants off, put them in the tub and dumped in two of these Tide packets. We'd packed carry-on only, so I needed these pants frequently! The Tide saved the day. They also came in handy to refresh my husband's socks after walking around in the heat all day. GET THEM. It's an easy pack and a no-brainer." — NolaForever Get nine packs from Amazon for $6.35 (available in two scents and four pack sizes). 13. And a Tide stain removing pen to save the day when your only white shirt ends up with coffee on it. Just keep it in your bag, because the last thing you need is a rogue stain ruining your meticulously planned outfit rotation. To use, blot off any extra residue, press the tip to the stain to get the cleaner flowing, then gently rub it in. And just repeat if the stain's being stubborn! Promising review: "I have many in bag, car, office, home... anywhere I need to be covered. This pen is an absolute lifesaver for spills and unexpected stains, especially on the go. It fits perfectly in my purse or backpack, making it super convenient for travel or just daily use. While it's not magic on every type of stain, it works wonders on most food and drink spills. Highly recommend having one of these around for those 'uh-oh' moments!" — Emine Arikan Get a pack of five from Amazon for $13.32 (available in various pack sizes). 14. A portable door lock giving you some extra peace of mind when the shoddy Airbnb locks just don't cut it. Just slide the metal plate into the door strike, close the door, and lock it in place with the red handle — no extra tools needed! Amazon Elizabeth also has this and advises: "Just make sure that if you pack in your carry-on, it's easily accessible because I've had TSA pull me aside a few times to see what it is." Promising review:"My best guy friend bought this for me and I love it. I'm a flight attendant and am in hotels 4–5 nights a week. Sometimes the 'locks' just don't feel sturdy enough. This device gives me an extra layer of security and allows me to sleep at night. I keep it in my flight bag." — Emilia Duren Get it from Amazon for $14.99 (also available in packs of two and four). 15. A pack of 30 aluminum-free deodorant wipes made with a blend of coconut milk and essentials oils to remove any unwanted odors while leaving behind a fresh coconut scent. They're perfect for road trips, camping, long flights, or anywhere you might not be near a shower for a while. Promising review:"I use these wipes almost daily since I do most of my work outside with children. They're soft, easy to use, and I can easily chuck them in my bag for travel. They smell amazing and remove odor instantly, leaving a fresh coconut scent! 10/10, everyone should get these!" — Andrea Pizzotti Get a pack of 30 from Amazon for $5.99 (also available in packs of two or four). 16. A set of "wine wands" if you love wine, but can't seem to enjoy it without your head pounding in the morning. This clever little device comes with filters that help remove histamines and sulfites — common culprits behind headaches and hangovers. It's super portable, so you'll be good to go for any spur-of-the-moment "we're on vacation" drinks! Amazon PureWine is a small business that specializes in wine accessories. These are single use and disposable, so you can just toss it when you're done! Promising review:"I'm a wine lover and migraine sufferer. Wine plus migraines do not work. Some wines give me headaches, and some give me migraines. Some wines also made my chest red and itchy. Kinda scary. I had to stop drinking certain wines altogether. This wand is incredible. The first thing I noticed was that the wine tasted 'fresher.' I don't know how to explain it. No headaches since using it. I also gifted packs of these for Christmas to family members." — J. K. Get a set of three from Amazon for $11.99 (also available in larger packs). 17. A 2-in-1 hair tool that curls and straightens so you can achieve the perfect balance of texture and shine with just one tool. It's easy to pack for trips and dual-voltage so you can have gorgeous hair no matter what country you're visiting. Just be sure to still pack a plug adapter if you're traveling to another country! Promising review:" Traveled with just a carry-on and personal item from USA to Italy and this worked perfectly. Convenient size for luggage and worked perfectly as a curler or straightener! My hair looked cute the entire trip so I was happy!" — Jessica Get it from Amazon for $39.99 (available in two colors). 18. A sleek mini travel umbrella you can toss in a tote in case the sky decides to give you a spontaneous shower. It also has a nifty carrying case that'll keep all your stuff from getting soaked in water. Promising review:"Bought this cheap, lightweight umbrella for an autumn trip to Edinburgh. It worked perfectly!! It was really windy there, and it did pop inside out a few times, but I just pushed it back into place. The pod holder is really great for folding it up when wet and keeping your bag safe from it!" — Lynn Thompson "I bought this to take with me on our honeymoon instead of bringing a big umbrella. This umbrella is great quality and super functional. It folds up easy and I love that it come with a carry case. It fits right in my purse nicely." — kaitlyn Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in many colors and packs). 19. Or a compact, foldable Hairbrella to keep in your bag for when the weather app lies, and it IS, in fact, raining, and you don't want your freshly styled hair to get ruined. Plus, you can't let a little rain stop you from exploring the streets of Paris! Amazon Hairbrella is a Black-owned small business that has been creating fashionable hats that protect hair from all kinds of weather since 2016. Promising review: "I wore this on a rainy work trip and was so glad I had it! I walked to my office in the rain one morning (15 minutes in moderate rainfall) and my silk press was PERFECT after I got into the building and took it off. I even took some headshots later in the day. When walking back to the hotel after work I neglected to put it on because it wasn't actively raining. Well, I forgot about humidity, so when I stepped into my hotel room my hair was reverting and poofed up! I truly believe in this product now; it is a must during silk press season! It's well made, comfortable once you adjust it, and silky soft on the inside." — Olivia Danae Get it from Amazon for $22+ (available in 10 colors). 20. Plus, a pair of reusable waterproof shoe covers so those white sneakers you wear every day can stay white instead of getting soaked and covered in mud from all the rain. (There are only so many pairs of shoes you can bring on a trip, so keeping them clean is high priority!) These have a handy elastic tie at the ankle so they stay securely on and don't let any water in. Check the handy sizing chart on the product listing so you can find your ideal fit! Promising reviews: "Exactly as described. The size was exactly right for my shoe size. Perfect for a trip, as they take up very little space in a suitcase and work quite well to keep the rain out and puddles away from shoes." — Caroljean Get a pair from Amazon for $15.89 (available in unisex sizes S–4XL and five styles). 21. A toiletry bag kit with a hanging organizer, a cosmetic bag, and a waterproof pouch perfect for stashing accessories, wet swimsuits, or even your "I hope I don't need these" emergency underwear. It keeps everything in one place, and you can simply hang it up when you arrive instead of begrudgingly reorganizing all your stuff at the hotel. Tripped Travel Gear is a small business that makes a bunch of cool products to make packing so much easier! Promising review: " Got this for a 12-day trip to Europe with only carry-on luggage. So many compartments, making it easy to stash all your toiletries with room to spare. It's so lightweight that it didn't add to overall baggage weight significantly." — Kristen Get it from Amazon for $39.95 (available in seven colors). 22. A pack of vacuum-free space-saving compression bags so you can bring all your bulky sweaters and jackets on that trip to Scotland. These are great for cramming as much as you can (and then some) into your suitcase, AND they make it much easier to sort through your carry-on to pull out toiletries or other items for security. Just pack in your clothes, roll up the bag, and watch as the excess air is squeezed out. BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord says, "HELLO, I AM OBSESSED WITH THESE. Despite all the rave reviews I was definitely skeptical of space-saving bags that didn't require a vacuum, and even as they were actively squishing my clothes into oblivion I still couldn't quite believe it. I had easily two suitcases worth of clothes I wanted to pack for a three-week trip to London, and I managed to neatly pack the entirety of my wardrobe in one roller carry-on bag. Truly all I had to do was put my clothes in the bag, push them to the bottom, and then sit on it to get the air out before sealing it up. I had tons of extra bags and make a habit of taking them with me in case other people joining me on trips need them to be able to pack souvenirs on the way home. I'm never taking a long trip without these again — these are worth every damn penny." Promising review: "I travel monthly for work, usually gone for 4–5 days. Before these, I would have to check a bag. Dress shirts and pants roll up nicely and stay wrinkle free. It's tempting to want to over-stuff these, but if you're packing golf shirts or cloths with 'slippery' fabric, they slide out of the top of the bag as you get close to the end. The clips take a minute to get used to, but after a couple of times zipping up the bags, it's pretty easy." — BigSkinny Get a set of eight from Amazon for $15.98. 23. Or a pack of vacuum-seal bags if manually squeezing out the air feels like too much work. These come with a travel-sized pump, so you won't need to worry about finding a vacuum in your hotel to pack for the trip home. Promising review: "Bought these bags for traveling and they work GREAT. They suck every last bit of air out of the bag, so I was able to fit more items and travel with just a carry-on, which is always a plus!" — ITSJUSTME Get them from Amazon for $14.95+ (available in four sizes and various packs). 24. *Plus* a set of packing cubes to help you squeeze in more by keeping everything neat and compressed. You'll be amazed at how much you can fit in your luggage, and since everything is organized into little sections, it'll be a snap to unpack and get on with your trip! Promising review:"These packing cubes are the best. I use them for long weekends or two-week trips. They help me pack things as I would use them and locate what I need inside my suitcase, especially on trips where we change hotels every couple of days and don't unpack into the hotel closet." — Pat Get a set of eight packing cubes (also comes with a laundry bag) from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 15 colors and a set of six). 25. A Stow-N-Go travel organizer so you can sort every outfit, backup outfit, and backup-for-the-backup outfit before you even zip your suitcase — then when you get to your destination, you can just hang it up and have perfectly organized clothes for the entire trip. Plus, it has a zipper compartment at the bottom for putting all your dirty clothes in so they don't get mixed with clean items (forcing you to end up just washing everything when you get home). Promising review:"I just love it. I travel a lot. Now I don't have to hang anything up but my organizer. I can see what I pack and where everything is. Just love it. I can easily fit seven days' worth of outfits and three pairs of shoes in a carry-on suitcase. Just great." — Amazon Customer Get it from Amazon for $26.95+ (available in two sizes and nine colors). 26. A Subtl Beauty Stak for condensing up to 10 makeup products into one small stack — ideal for when your toiletry bag is already bursting but you still need ~options~. You can customize yours with anything from lip tints to face powder. And as convenient as it is for travel, it's also perfect to keep in your purse on the reg for touch-ups! Subtl Beauty Each stack also includes a mirror lid, a base, and a mini brush. Promising review:"I absolutely love how compact this product is. I have been pleasantly surprised at how natural the makeup feels and I love the natural look it provides. I originally purchased it for traveling, but have been using it daily and love it!" – Paula Bowie Get the Starter Stak from Subtl Beauty for $60 (available in 19 tones), or customize your own stack starting at $12 per layer, with up to 10 product types available. 27. A digital luggage scale — just strap it around the handle, pull up a little, and it'll tell you the weight of your suitcase! We all know that haunting feeling of approaching the check-in desk, not knowing if we'll have to A) pay way too much for a bag or B) open our suitcase on the floor in front of everyone and frantically rearrange everything. Promising review:"We use this in every trip to avoid paying for extra weight as we travel internationally quite often. I have tested in several ways and also always note the weigh number in the airport. After several trips, I can say that the accuracy of it is right within 2 lbs. I have it for almost two years and I am still using the same batteries." — Cass Young Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in six colors, a pack of two, and another style). 28. A Megababe anti-chafing balm formulated with moisturizing ingredients like aloe, pomegranate, and grapeseed oil that help keep your thighs from rubbing themselves raw. Chafing hurts, but wearing short skirts and dresses is fun, so this product is honestly a game changer — and the stick is small enough to keep in your purse! Megababe Megababe is a woman-owned small business founded by Katie Sturino, an entrepreneur, body acceptance advocate, and influencer. Promising review:"I was hesitant to buy this product because I wasn't sure if it would work or not, but WOW!!!!! It works!!!! Amazing!! I've been to a music festival for the past two years, and from walking too much, I've gotten the worst chafing. This year, I decided to buy this and use it during my two days at the music festival. No chafing whatsoever!!! I did reapply a few times (because I was walking tons/sweating). But seriously, this product is wonderful. I tried deodorant last year, and that was no help for me. This is my new go-to, and I'm excited to use it more this summer! Buy this!" — Queen268 Get it from Amazon, Target, or direct from Megababe for $14. 29. A solid Neutrogena SPF 50 sunscreen that'll come in clutch when you didn't plan on being out in the sun all day, but somehow ended up on a spontaneous beach hike. It works just as well as spray-on or lotion sunscreens, so you can enjoy your sunny vacation without burning up or spending waaay too much on sunscreen at your destination! Amazon Promising review: "This was my go-to sunscreen stick for YEARS. I don't even know why I stopped using it… I recently repurchased and remembered why I loved it so much. As a dry skin girly, it really helps keep my skin protected from the sun but also hydrated. Love, love, love!" — Kateri Brianna Get it from Amazon for $9.88. 31. A waterproof pouch so you can use your phone 🎶 under the sea 🎶 and get those cool underwater pics without worrying about ruining your expensive device! It's also a great fix for keeping out sand and dirt. It fits any phone up to 100 mm x 170 mm (or about 3.9 inches x 6.7 inches). Promising review:"I purchased this case in July for an upcoming canoe trip with a friend and as luck would have it, we flipped our canoe. Being the rebel that I am, I chose not to wear my phone around my neck. And so it, my ID, and my debit card ended up at the bottom of the river, and I just assumed it would be discovered a thousand years from now and placed in a museum as an ancient artifact. Fast-forward to this week. I was contacted via FB by an Alachua County Sheriff's Office diver and guess what he found? Yup, my phone case with all of the contents intact and dry as a bone! He had to cut the case open but there was not one single drop of water in it and he ended up purchasing a case for himself because he was just that impressed!" — Julie McDonald Get it from Amazon for $6.29 (available in 12 colors and packs of two). 32. A foldable jewelry organizer with space for all your rings, earrings, necklaces, and then some — because narrowing down your accessory options just isn't happening. It's made from soft quilted cotton that compresses nicely so you can squeeze it in with everything else. Amazon, Promising review:"My favorite traveling item! Before I was sticking jewelry in ziplock bags and in my suitcase and I'd lose them in there or they'd tangle and I was limited on what I could bring. I bring this with me every time we go out of town for business." — Kristy and Jose Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and seven colors). 33. A travel-size wrinkle-release spray because while rolling all your clothes into a tight ball may be convenient for packing, it does leave them looking a little crumpled. This guarantees you won't need to hunt down an iron or go to dinner with a crinkled shirt. Promising review:"Hate dragging out the old hotel iron and board, so I just spray my wrinkled clothes with this, and viola! Takes the wrinkles out, and off I go — no wrestling while putting the iron and board away. I even have a small travel iron or use my hair styling irons if I want a better finish, but this usually does the job nicely." — Audie Get it from Amazon for $6.05. 34. A reusable gel lint roller to keep your clothes looking pristine — even when your friend's cat turns your suitcase into their new nap spot. It's compact, easy to throw in your bag, and all it takes to restore its stickiness is washing the interior. If you're someone who wears a lot of black, this will definitely make your life better. Promising review: "Super easy to use and helpful during travel. You'll know when the lint roller is full as it will not pick up only more hair/lint. All you have to do is rinse the ball and rub off any excess, wait for it to dry, and then it will be good as new." — Zalayahg Get it from Amazon for $9.99 (available in four colors and in packs of two or four). 35. A Bug Bite Thing because unfortunately bugs are everywhere, and you never know when one will getcha 😳 but this portable gadget will help relieve itchiness, swelling, and redness from those pesky bites. It's super easy to use — just place the tool over the bite, pull up on the handles until you feel a suction, hold for 20 seconds, then push the handles back down and you're done! You can also use it to treat bites and stings from bees, wasps, biting flies, no-see-ums, chiggers, and sea lice. Bug Bite Thing is a family-owned small business established in 2017 that specializes in bug-bite relief products. Promising review:"I live in Florida and have had a huge mosquito problem lately. This thing is a miracle. I use it right after I get a mosquito bite and it still itches for 15–20 minutes, then no itching! It never itches again after that. It gets the saliva that the mosquito put into your skin and gets the saliva out! It heals way faster and no more itching! This is a lifesaver and a miracle!" — Customer Get it from Amazon for $9.95 (available in five colors and multipacks). 36. A pack of mini perfume atomizers so you can switch scents depending on whether you're hitting the beach, heading to dinner, or just trying to mask the smell of your sweat until your next shower. These are super easy to fill, and reviewers love how the fine spray gives a nice, even application. To fill the atomizers, remove the spray cap from your perfume, then align the bottom of the atomizer with the bottle and repeatedly press it down until it's filled (but don't *overfill* it). Promising review: "I usually don't leave reviews but this was so worth the money. I'm traveling for the first time in 12 years and squeezing everything into one bag and a carry-on. This works for perfume, but I had the great idea of using it for things like my setting spray for when I travel. Game changer. Obviously only has about 15–30 sprays depending on how much you fill it, but this is great for a vacay or a weekend getaway other than perfumes!" — AnnCRosas Get them from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in packs of four or five in various colors). 37. A 3-in-1 travel razor that's got it all: a refillable spray bottle for easy skin prep, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges — i.e. everything you need for smooth, on-the-go shaving in one compact, travel-ready kit. Promising review:" I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" — Western Pa mom/grandma Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in pink and blue). 38. A compact eight-compartment pill organizer to avoid cramming a bunch of medication and supplement bottles into your bag, effectively taking up all the space you needed for socks. Psst — if you don't fill up all the compartments with pills, it's also great for stashing your earrings during travel! (Shoutout to this TikToker for the hack.) Promising review:"My husband and I travel a lot and take a number of prescription drugs. It was always a hassle accessing our medication when needed, so I purchased this organizer to make things easier. I used a label maker and labeled each little compartment and it has performed wonderfully. I highly recommend this organizer to anyone who travels and needs medications throughout the day." — Jacqueline Get a three-pack from Amazon for $8.97. (They don't sell them in singles, but if you don't want three, here's a similar option.) 39. A fast-drying microfiber towel you can fold into a compact square and fit into the smallest of carry-ons. It's perfect for travelers who aren't staying in hotels, and reviewers love to bring it camping because of how lightweight it is! Promising review:"I bought this for a trip to Mexico, during which we moved from pool to beach to ocean a lot. This towel was the perfect travel companion to keep me somewhat dry and get me to the next stop. I especially appreciated taking it on our snorkeling trip because it could fit easily in a waterproof bag with my other things and not get wet. It was a great blanket when it was chilly as well. And it dries so quickly so you can be ready for your next adventure. I like the bag it comes in to keep it contained within your tote bag too." — dmw Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 18 colors and six sizes). 40. Some reusable bottle bags to keep the fancy bottle of prosecco you're bringing back from Italy safe and sound. And if it *does* spill, you'll be happy to hear this bag is designed to catch all of the liquid, so your clothes and souvenirs will be safe! Amazon Promising review:"Bought to bring wine from France home from vacation. We bought three bottles (one of which was champagne). All three made it on the Eurostar and two flights in perfect condition." — Katie Get a set of three from Amazon for $13.99 (available in four styles). 41. A 30-pack of waterproof zippered pouches reviewers have used to organize everything from makeup and toiletries to chargers and snacks. Since they're transparent, you'll be able to easily locate and throw the right one in the security bin without unpacking your whole bag. Parents in particular *love* these for keeping everything neat and safe from spills! Promising review: "I bought these for a trip for my family of five. I like to plan in advance to make sure no one forgets anything! These were a lifesaver packing for three kids! I was able to create a carry-on, toiletries, wires/chargers, and snacks pouch for everyone! I used clear sticker paper to create name labels, and it all worked perfectly! Would definitely recommend if you need to travel with family and need to set things out and pack." — mommyandbri Get a set of 30 bags in different sizes from Amazon for $14.99 (available in five different packs). Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
30-04-2025
- Buzz Feed
Travel Light In 2025 With These 41 Carry-On Packing Tips
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · If you're looking to save money *and* travel more in 2025, these tips are here to help with both. 1. Pack your purse, and choose your "personal item" carefully — aka the biggest one possible, like a spacious travel-friendly backpack that'll fit under the seat in front of you. This one checks all the boxes: super roomy, zips completely open (like a suitcase — so it's easy to find what you need), has plenty of pockets (including one for shoes and a separate wet bag!), and a strap that slides down over your luggage handle for easy transport. And reviewers say it meets even Spirit and JetBlue 's personal item rules and fits under airplane seats! Get it from Amazon for $22.99+ (available in four sizes and 23 colors). Promising review: " I bought this backpack for work. It's the BEST backpack I've ever used. I needed one with several pockets and not too big or heavy. I found that with this backpack, I can fill it and still have room! There's even a shoe and clothing compartment for traveling! The straps are just wide enough to stay on your shoulders, especially with the snap straps in front. I also love the color, and it's true to the picture color. If you're looking for lightweight with tons of pockets, this is what you need!" — Kelly Miller Promising review:"This is a perfect size backpack for traveling on a plane as your personal item, especially to international destinations. You could fit rolled-up clothes in here for another week, and it has a very handy shoe bag and tons of places for your electronics. This will be an excellent addition to my carry-on suitcase. Best purchase all year. I consider myself an expert on travel bags. I have way too many. It's smaller than it looks but so roomy." — AP 2. Psst: keep your in-flight essentials separately in a compact but surprisingly spacious belt bag for a bit of extra convenience and space-saving in your carry-on and personal item — and so you don't have to dig through your backpack for your AirPods halfway through the flight. The strap is adjustable, so you can wear it crossbody *or* around your waist, and you'll be surprised how much it holds, too! quite similar to Lululemon's belt bag and less than half the price! I just finally gave in and bought this, and it's my new go-to bag for everything from grocery runs to appointments! And on my next trip, I will absolutely be using it for my in-flight essentials: my Kindle, AirFly Bluetooth adapter, headphones, hand sanitizer, lotion, and lip balm. BuzzFeed Shopping editor Elizabeth Lilly says, "I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fits around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy, and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents." Get it from Amazon for $12.98 (available in 43 colors). Promising review: "Got this for air travel. I normally travel with a carry-on and a backpack. Got this to hold my essentials and have them accessible. It's big enough to hold my phone, wallet, passport, hand sanitizer, and ChapStick." — daisy rojas 3. Create a packing list even before you take a single item out. Whether it's on a handy prefilled notepad or just on the Notes app of your phone, spend some time really thinking about everything you need so you don't panic and try to shove in 25 pairs of extra undies and three sweatshirts at the last minute. The amount of extra undies I bring on Get this handy notepad from Amazon for $7+ (available in two colors, plus a road trip–specific list). Promising review:"I just used this for a recent trip to Florida from California. It made it easier to remember things. I used to have a list, that I made, on my computer to remind me, my husband, and child what to pack. My daughter is out on her own now and my husband passed away recently. So, I just need a list for me. This helped me think of things I NEVER thought to put on my list. It has extra lines for you to add anything extra like crochet project, handicapped parking plaque, etc. It's not too big, but can easily be read. There are boxes to check off as you go and room to add quantity to clothing items. I hope these are ALWAYS available!" — Connie Woods 4. Check average weather in the area you're traveling to ahead of time, so you can decide what to pack. Will you need a light jacket? Just a heavy sweater? Is it usually rainy this time of year? Now you'll be in the know. Columbia Pictures Many sites will give you the seasonal average weather for that date and location so you can plan your outfits (or what you might need to buy) before the actual forecast is available closer to your trip. You can also look at *past* years for the same info! I always use this to plan the kind of things I need to bring when I in advance! 5. If rain is on the meteorological menu, squeeze in a packable raincoat so you can stay securely dry without having to leave your favorite, more fashionable pieces at home. This packs down into a teensy drawstring bag. You can even keep it in your purse while actually on the trip if it might stay dry. Amazon Get this one from Amazon for $31.99 (available in women's sizes XS–3XL and 25 colors). Promising review:"Lightweight, water resistant, perfect for traveling! I bought this to wear in Iceland. It rolls up and goes into a little pouch, which makes it easier to carry. It kept me nice and dry when I was walking the rainy, misty streets of Iceland as well as the many waterfalls I visited. I highly recommend." — Karin M. Dixey There are tonnnnns of packable puffer coat options for colder weather in men's and women's sizes on Amazon too! 6. Or stash a mini travel umbrella that not only is perfectly compact for the minimal space in your carry-on but also comes with a handy carrying case, so you can pop it right in your purse when the showers are (finally!) over without getting the rest of your stuff wet. Promising review:"Bought this cheap, lightweight umbrella for an autumn trip to Edinburgh. It worked perfectly!! It was really windy there, and it did pop inside out a few times, but I just pushed it back into place. The pod holder is really great for folding it up when wet and keeping your bag safe from it!" — Lynn Thompson Get it from Amazon for $12.99+ (available in 7 colors). 7. Listen to your parents and roll your clothes to save space. It's a tried-and-true method that actually works AND also makes it easier to find individual items — without messing up the whole rest of the suitcase. BuzzFeed 8. Or try one of these techniques — depending on what you're packing, you might want to switch it up. The "clown car" style helps with reducing wrinkles! The military-style roll is basically like the regular roll, but taken to ~the next level~. "Clown car" is all about ~stacking~ before folding and tucking. And if you like a classic fold but have a hard time seeing everything in your suitcase, the front-to-back style is a good option. It's also *great* for storing tees in your drawers at home so you can see what's what. 9. Maximize your vacation hours (and suitcase space) by packing your outfits PER DAY! No more rummaging around your suitcase, messing everything up. And if you want to wear something more than once, just keep it separate for now. 10. Make your clothes more *compact* bit by bit in a set of packing cubes — organize them by day (like pictured above), clothing type, ~segment of your trip~ (like city/beach/weather), etc.! Harness your inner Virgo and get packing. It comes with a laundry bag to separate your dirty clothes on your way back, and the cubes have mesh tops so you can see what's inside! Get the set of six pictured above from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in 17 colors and patterns). Promising review:"These packing cubes exceeded my expectations!!!! I was able to pack for a seven-day cruise: seven day outfits, seven evening dresses, six swimsuits and six swim cover-ups. Along with 10 pairs of undergarments, four PJ sets, and three bras. It was wild. I highly recommend! I used a Vera Bradley weekend tote to fit my packing cubes and then a separate bag for shoes, toiletries, etc. worked perfectly! Very happy with my purchase." — Elias Zuloaga 11. Or if you're less worried about organization and more worried about having enough space, compress everything into a set of space-saver bags specifically designed for travel. Over-packers? These are for you. No vacuum required; just pop in your stuff and roll to release the pesky extra air through the valves. ::Cough, me studying abroad, cough:: Get a pack of 12 from Amazon for $13.99. Promising review:"My husband wanted me to take just a carry-on when we went to Paris and Switzerland last year. We were gone for 10 days and I had to pack dressy clothes, hiking clothes, clothes for the cold snowy mountains, and clothes for the warm May spring days touring Paris. I could NEVER have done it without these compression bags. I will always use these when I travel now. ALWAYS!!" — rmac 12. And make the most out of lightweight, compact clothes that are ideal for layering. This slip dress, for example, is a reviewer fave and can be dressed up for your Fanciest Dinner, but also can be layered under a sweater, button-down, or tee and look like a whole new outfit! Promising review: "Great for a capsule wardrobe. I bought this for a summer trip to Italy. It paired beautifully with a cotton blouse. It's especially good for evening." — theof Get it from Amazon for $15.48+ (available in women's sizes XXS–5XL and in 24 colors). 13. Fill otherwise hard-to-utilize space (looking at you, space between the metal bars!) with rolled up undies, bathing suits, or other small pieces of clothing to maximize capacity. Check out more carry-on tips at One Good Thing By Jillee. 14. Things can get a a small carry-on easily, so maintain the collar shape of dress shirts by looping your belt just inside. Your next work trip is officially saved from creased collars. 15. Stuff small, foldable items inside your hat, then place items carefully around the brim inside your suitcase to keep it from getting crushed or bent. Because carrying a sun hat on the plane is just annoying. 16. Or try a *genius* magnetic hat clip that hooks right around your bag strap, luggage tag, zipper loop, or wherever to easily let your sun hat dangle from the side of your bag as you stroll your way through the airport. Way better than taking up space in your bag — or carrying it because your hands are full ENOUGH, thankyouverymuch. The magnetic clip securely attaches to your hat brim (damage-free) — just attach around the strap/handle of your choosing! Promising review:"Not sure why I hesitated to buy this for so long but I'm glad I finally did! The magnet has a very strong grip and perfect for straw hats and caps. It even grips my wool flatcaps as well. I can't speak for thicker hats, but this fits my needs perfectly. Bring on the sunny days! Update: my hat survived its first Europe summer thanks to this hat clip. Through airports and heavy crowds and even at the Olympics, it never fell off. I got a lot of compliments and was asked where I bought the clip. Don't hesitate! It's worth the cost." – VF Get it from Amazon for $21.24+ (clip the 15% off coupon on the product page to get this price; available in four colors). 17. Stop wasting a single inch of space — fill your shoes with teensy packables like socks and undies. Off to somewhere chilly? Pack leggings or even your straightener/ curling iron in boots to save space and help maintain your boots' shape. BuzzFeed Then you can pack your shoes inside shoe bags (like I do) to keep the dirty soles away from your clothes, or just pop on a shower cap ($4.99 for a set of three), like pictured here! Get a pack of four drawstring shoe bags (they're clear tops so you can see which pair is which) for $15.99 at Amazon. 18. Fold one bra cup inside out into the other, then stuff the straps and band inside *that* cup for a compact packing method that won't ruin your favorite bras. BuzzFeed 19. Create a mini capsule wardrobe when packing; stick to just one palette, plus a few accent colors, so you can make the most from mixing and matching juuuust a few key pieces. 20. And if you're traveling for a while, bring along a handy set of compact laundry detergent packets so you can easily wash clothes you're going to repeat wear right in the hotel bathroom (or a cruise's washing machine, of course). Get a pack of eight packets from Amazon for $8.93. Promising review:"I bought a pack to take along on our UK and Ireland Christmas vacation. We were going to be gone for two weeks and I knew that there would be times where we needed to hand wash items and have them ready the next day. We were able to, throw some essential items into the hotel room sink and hand wash them and hang them to dry. It did pull out dirt and grime and left our clothes with a fresh scent. It's a smart purchase and I will be sending a pack along with my daughter for her study abroad trip to Peru next month." — Jill Foster 21. Remember all the dirty laundry you're going to accumulate *in advance* so all of your careful rolling isn't for nought. Separate your stinky socks into a space-saving laundry bag designed to help you *compress* those dirty clothes into a compact bag so they're out of sight, out of mind until you're fiiiiiinally unpack. Amazon Just stuff them in and squeeze to release the extra air! Get this cute map-print one from Amazon for $12.45 (also available in an airplane print). Promising review:"As a frequent traveler, this bag has been great for packing dirty laundry on the return trip home. It will hold much more than I usually put in it and compresses nicely in the suitcase. I toss it in the washer along with the clothes and it has held up for well over a year now." — CC 22. Roll up a compact and collapsible water bottle, because it's incredibly easy to get dehydrated on a long-haul flight, and airport water is expensive! You can keep it handy in an outer pocket of your carry-on bag or backpack so you can fill it with ease, without losing on precious space. Amazon Reviewers love the one pictured above: it folds up truly tiny, has no weird plastic taste, and has an easy-to-clean wide mouth. Get it from Amazon for $11+ (available in 7 colors and packs of 2). Promising review:"I took this water bottle on a recent trip to Iceland. In Iceland, water from any tap is glacier water and is absolutely delicious. This bottle made it easy to fill up whenever I wanted, even in I stream near a waterfall! It rolls up so it takes up little space. I never dribbled any while drinking, so I would say it's easy to drink from. It has a clip that would fit on a belt or belt loop, but I wear neither so I carried it easily with one finger in the clip. I found it easy to rinse. I'm 100% happy with the quality of this bottle." — nanykin 23. Decant your daily meds and vitamins, plus your just-in-case Advil and Tums, into compact travel pill organizers, each with eight compartments (six small, two large) so you can bring all of your pills with you — without wasting space on a bunch of bulky bottles. They also come with blank label stickers so you can note which pills are in which compartment. Get the set of three from Amazon for $8.97 (available in two colors). Promising review:"I love these! I have pretty severe ADHD, and I am constantly forgetting my meds when camping or hiking or just generally leaving the house for extended periods of time. These make it so much easier for me to just squirrel away in my backpack and be so pleased when I find them again. The labels are great, they are durable, and I'm no longer finding stray pills of unknown origin in the bottom of my bag. Highly recommend." — Eliza 24. Select your most key pieces of jewelry and keep them safely stored in a truly mini (and gorge) jewelry case like this pretty velvet one. You'll feel fully accessorized without wasting space or weighing your bag down with heavy pieces. Amazon Get it from Amazon for $21.99+ (available in 9 colors). Promising review:"Really amazing value – it looks pretty luxe but I can't believe the price I bought it for — especially considering how expensive jewelry boxes can be. I use this one for travel and it's perfect (I have a larger one for all my jewelry as well. I really like that you can move the little dividers in the bottom compartment around too that's been very helpful" — Dee 25. Every ounce of space is precious, which means you don't have room for a bulky neck pillow. But don't worry, that's what the Trtl pillow is for. It folds up thin and compact, and when you're ready to use, just wrap it around your neck — underneath the soft fleece is an internal support structure designed to keep your head in a comfy position for sleeping upright. Amazon Get it from Amazon for $52.99+ (available in four colors). Promising review: "The trtl pillow is much better than a standard travel pillow due to the neck support it offers. It is difficult for me to sleep on planes but with the trtl I can sleep even in tiny cramped budget airline seats. It also folds pretty flat which makes it easy to pack in a carry on item. Most comfortable travel pillow." — Sofia Allison 26. Or opt for a neck pillow you can stuff with clothing — clearly invented by a sneaky genius — to help you get some extra clothes that don't fit in your suitcase past the gate agent whose eyes are *peeled* for people bringing on extra items. This is also a great way to keep your airplane sweatshirt or a change of clothes for when you land handy! Check out a TikTok showing how someone used a similar neck pillow to just take that and a personal item onto a RyanAir flight that was charging for hand luggage. Promising review: "The Tube Pillow was a savior on my last trip. It held a surprising amount of clothes and doubled as a dirty laundry bag. I used it as an on-the-lap pillow... for extra storage without extra fees, it's worth it!" — Sharon Get it from Amazon for $29.95. 27. Traveling with a carry-on and a (cough cough giant backpack) personal item (and a jacket) can get unwieldy, especially at security. Store your cash, boarding pass, passport, credit cards, etc. in a travel wallet that makes it super easy to see everything at a glance. And then just toss it in your carry-on when you're through security! Amazon No more holding up the security line triple-checking to see if you still have your passport. Just a touch of first-class style, at an economy price. It's made of RFID-blocking material, too. Get the one pictured above from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 29 colors). Promising review:"I absolutely love this wallet. I needed a new travel wallet, and this holds everything I need all in one place, and it still closes nicely and stays flat! Boarding pass, passport, ID and credit cards, money, checked baggage tickets, receipts, etc.! Yet it doesn't bulk up or look like an overstuffed mess. Just amazing. The description says it only holds US money, but I just used the boarding pass flap to hold all my Japanese yen (¥), which are larger. I didn't use the zippered pocket for coins as I much prefer a separate coin purse for that sort of thing. I definitely recommend to anyone who travels a lot!" — Anthony Luu 28. Opt for a perfectly sized set of TSA-friendly travel bottles you can fill (and refill) with your favorite products when they don't make travel size — without taking up tons of room. Can't skip your fave skin and hair products when you're away, even when packing light! Amazon Get the set of four containers, plus the clear case pictured above from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in 17 color sets and three sizes). Promising review:"I love these bottles. The suction in the cap is one way, so air does not filter back into the container. This means it will be so much easier to get the product out — you won't have to squeeze the air out first and then the product. They are such high quality and feel amazing. I love that they come with a carrying case to keep them all together!" — Katherine Milesusnich Promising review:"I bought these for a ten day trip. No leaks!! Plenty of product capacity for the entire time." — wendy smith 29. And add an easy, leakproof layer to your toiletries to avoid any big-time oopsies at your destination; just wrap a small square of cling wrap over the opening and pop the cap on top. 30. And btw, your favorite skincare brand might make a travel-friendly skincare set you can keep in your suitcase for trips and weekends away — then you'll NEVER forget it (or waste space). Amazon Get the E.l.f. Holy Hydration! set (which includes face cream, eye cream, melting cleansing balm, cleanser, and booster drops) from Amazon for $20 Promising review: "Perfect for travel or perfect for samples. I ordered the moisturizer and thought I would order this entire sample/travel set to give it a try. I've been using this for a few weeks now as a primary face cleanser set and I love it. The under-eye cream and serum do a great job for overnight repair. The moisturizer helps my dry skin so much and leaves it soft each time. The makeup removal balm IS AMAZING. I'm definitely buying this as a full product. The face wash is gentle and smells heavenly. The entire set is great. It has helped with my dry skin and this Arizona summer "dry heat"" — Heather Mata You can also get similar kits from Cosrx, CeraVe, Peach & Lily, Belif, Innisfree, and more. 31. Swap your jumbo-sized signature scent bottle for a pocket-sized, refillable travel perfume atomizer, so you can save space AND don't have to risk that perfume leaking allllll over your suitcase (an expensive nightmare). This one is so easy to refill, you'll end up popping it in your purse to get a fresh whiff in your everyday life at home, too! Get a four-pack from Amazon for $8.99 (available in 3 colors; also available in a five-pack). Promising review:"How did I not find these sooner! These are awesome! If you are a fragrance buff (frag head), these are a must! Simply pop the sprayer off of your favorite cologne/perfume, place the bottom of one of these on the nozzle, push down a few times, now you have your favorite scent to go! Depending on how much you use daily, a full atomizer should last 1 to 2 weeks." — V.O.A. 32. If you have a hard time traveling light when it comes to beauty products, you can't do better than this hanging toiletry bag to make traveling with all the beauty products you can't bear to leave behind *so* much easier — and compact. Plus, there's no need to unpack on the hotel bathroom counter — just unroll and hang, and you can see everything at a glance! I bought this for a recent trip, and I was legit shocked at how much I could fit inside — and it zips up to be surprisingly small! I bought the "medium" which was plenty big for my needs, especially if you're packing in a carry-on. Promising review:"Seriously?! Do you see how much this holds?! Full shampoo bottles, face washes, hair brush... everything I could need or want to bring, FITS IN THIS ONE BAG! And it's so cute! Feels like great quality too — all the hardware came with protective wraps to keep from scratching and the zippers feel very hardy. The hook at the top is also VERY WELL-SECURED to the bag, it's double stitched to the top panel and almost feels like seatbelt material. And I love the extra pockets and netting inside. I would absolutely recommend this!" — mahea_c Get it from Amazon for $16.19+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 33. Swap your regular hot tool for a 2-in-1 straightener and curling iron so you only have to bring *one* tool, no matter how you want to wear your hair. It has dual voltage for international trips, too. Amazon It has a swiveling, tangle-free cord, too. Get it from Amazon for $31.99 (clip the 20% off coupon on the product page to get this price; also available in white). Promising review:"I bought this for a trip to Italy, as I didn't have a dual-voltage iron (and you can't just use a converter-adapter combination with things that heat up). I liked that it was a flat iron and curling iron combo, so I could change things up as I desired. It worked beautifully on our trip — I look nice in all my selfies ;) — and continues to work beautifully at home. In fact, I've replaced my old flat iron with this because of the versatility and now use this one every day. BTW, in case you are wondering, it automatically switches to the appropriate voltage, no looking for a switch or anything. You don't need to do anything but plug it in! Great product!" — Diane Field 34. Mini sizes of travel musts don't stop with skincare — if you have trouble sleeping when in hotels or unfamiliar places, a *truly teensy* mini white noise machine can help. And this palm-sized one is very carry-on (or even purse-/backpack-) friendly, too! It has 15 different nonlooping sounds (including white noise, fan, rain, and more), the charge lasts for days at a time, and it can — quite literally — fit in your pocket. I bought this little guy before a trip this year — and I am in love. I keep it on fan 1 (there are *three* different fan sound options), and it helped me sleep better in hotel rooms — and even a bit better next to a very loud snorer. I used it every night (for eight hours at a time) on a two-week trip, and I only had to charge it *twice*! And if you prefer, there are also several auto-shut off timer options too. Get it from Amazon for $18.99+ (available in nine colors, plus two packs and packs that come with a travel case). Promising review:"I was certainly skeptical regarding this sound machine. I mean, how could this little round thing produce big noise? Well, I'm here to tell you it does! I was astounded that after I had charged it up, and turned it on the huge sound that came out of this! I enjoy the fan noise the best. I read the reviews beforehand and most were very I know I had to try it out as I don't go anywhere without my every night plug in (big) noise that one is I needed a smaller one for travel. The other wonderful thing about this little baby is that it is rechargeable! You don't need an outlet to use it unless you are charging it up. The directions were a let's just say there wasn't much to the if you have any common sense, it won't take you to long to figure out how it works. Just buy it! Especially for travel!" — T. Bellati 35. Put shoes by the wheels and lighter items toward the handle so that when your suitcase is upright & rolling, the shoes won't crush or wrinkle your clothes. BuzzFeed / Amazon Shop Delsey luggage like the one pictured here on Amazon. 36. Wear your bulkiest shoes on the plane, whether that's a pair of chunky sneakers, booties, etc. — you'll save suitcase space, but stay comfy on the long flight — especially if you wear some nice compression socks. Hot take: As long as you have SOCKS ON and you don't usually have a super-aggressive foot odor (I'm sorry!), it's 100% OK to take your shoes off on a long international flight. BTW, you can get the chunky sneakers pictured above from Amazon for $40.99+ (available in women's sizes 6–11 and 21 colors and styles). One reviewer traveled in them all summer, and *20* reviewers said they feel like you're "walking on clouds"! 37. Don't forget an AirFly Pro wireless transmitter so you don't need to pack (or, ew pay for) bulky old corded headphones on your next flight that don't even work with your phone — wouldn't you rather use your AirPods or fancy Bluetooth noise-canceling headphones anyway? And the bonus is it's way easier to get up to pee or let your neighbor by without dealing with unplugging headphones or tangled cords! Amazon, It also comes with a USB-C charging cable, travel pouch, keychain holder, quick-start guide, and a manual. I have this and use it whenever I fly — it's great! Just be sure you charge it before you go, and I have found it's easiest to pair your headphones to your device at home — just plug it into your computer or any audio device to make sure the sound works, and pair! See one TikTok user using it with their AirPod Pros here. Promising review:"Ever since I purchased my wireless Bose earbuds, I always hated having to use another set when I was on an airplane with the seat-back entertainment system. I tried many different models to connect the system to my Bluetooth headsets until I came across this one, and it is amazing! It seamlessly connects to my headset, very clear and reliable audio, and it takes the stress away from having to carry more than one headset! Thank you!!!" — Ryan Malloy Get it from Amazon for $46.74+ (available in four styles and two colors). 38. And stow a 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charging station perfect for traveling, so you can charge your iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods all at once, without wasting space on three separate bulky chargers or dealing with tons of cords. One reviewer compares this under-$40 wonder to the almost-$150(!) Mophie charger and say it's just as good *and* more attractive! Promising review: " This is my new favorite travel gadget! Super compact and sleek, so far no issues with charging my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and performance remains consistent. This charger has eliminated at least two additional cords and I deeply appreciate not having to shuffle chargers around when packing for travel. The charging light has an on/off feature by the watch pad, so I'm able to keep it on the bedside table at night without a bright green light shining in my face. It's also hard to overlook when packing back up to leave a hotel, which might be the second most important feature! Overall a great value for the money and such a great tool for staying organized during travel." — Cassandra Get it from Amazon for $23.99. 39. Big vacation reader? Leave the heavy, bulky books at home and bring HUNDREDS (or even THOUSANDS) of books with you in one little device — a Kindle! Amazon I never thought I'd be an e-reader person, but living in a New York apartment with limited bookshelves changed my ways. I love love (love love love) my Kindle — especially for easily borrowing library books, squeezing in a few chapters on a subway ride, and, of course, traveling. I lit'rally read 10 times as much with a Kindle in my life. Get the newest 2024 version of the basic Kindle (with faster page turns and a huger contrast ratio) from Amazon for $109.99 (available in black and matcha). Or shop the newest version of the Kindle Paperwhite ($159.99) for poolside or beach reading — it's WATERPROOF *and* has an adjustable warm backlight! Promising review:"This is my first Kindle, and I have to say how disappointed I am in myself for not buying one sooner. T he size and weight of this is so easy to travel with, the color is absolutely stunning, and the battery life! I cannot stress enough how long this battery goes. When I first got it, I did a full charge, and that was almost 2 weeks ago — I have not charged it since, and I am still at 86% battery life, and I read almost every night. I'm so impressed with this" — Veronica Lima 40. Include a fold-up duffel on trips when you KNOW you'll be bringing back more than you came with. Just pack your purse on the way back and count this as your "personal item" — I won't tell. Amazon, This one folds into a teensy pouch when not in use, is tear and water resistant, and even has a separate side pocket for shoes. Aaaaand it has a strap on the side that slides easily over your roller luggage handle. Just keep it in your regular suitcase between trips, and you'll never forget it. Fold-up duffels like these are my GO-TO when going on a vacation I know will be shopping heavy. And then you can bring your new finds on the plane to ensure they don't get lost (it's 20 inches, making it perfect for the overhead compartment). Get it from Amazon for $17.99 (available in 16 colors and patterns). Promising review:"We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." — Tosa Mom 41. If you're traveling with kids, switch to a super-compact stroller that weighs less than 12 pounds and can fit in an overhead bin or even under a seat, because every penny counts when it comes to family vacations. The stroller is supposed to fit kids from 6 months up to 55 pounds (approx. 5 years). Get it from Amazon for $139.99 (available in two colors). Promising review:"This stroller is great! So cool looking, too. I constantly have moms coming up to me asking where I got this! So easy to fold, so light, and barely takes any space in my trunk. We took it on a flight, and the flight attendants recognized the stroller and told me that I can just wheel the baby on and put the stroller in the overhead bin. I wish I had gotten this stroller with my oldest, but I was being cheap. This stroller is so worth the money. I regret not getting it sooner! But at least my youngest can enjoy it." — Nai Len Because spoiler alert: This won't fit into the overhead compartment. NBC Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity. Reviews have been edited for length and/or clarity.
Buzz Feed
07-04-2025
- Buzz Feed
If You're Traveling With Just A Backpack, Here Are 25 Space Saving Products That'll Make Your Trip A Whole Lot Easier
We hope you love our recommendations! Some may have been sent as samples, but all were independently selected by our editors. Just FYI, BuzzFeed and its publishing partners may collect a share of sales and/or other compensation from the links on this page. Shopping · When your friends see just how much stuff you lugged on your trip, they won't believe you were able to fit it all in just a backpack. 1. First off, a capacious travel backpack to fit as many items as you can possibly jam-pack into it while still being able to slide it under the seat in front of you. It's able to zip open completely — yes, like a suitcase — so you can find whatever you need! It has plenty of pockets, a compartment just for wet items and another for shoes. Promising review:"Lots of space. I bought this for a business trip so I could carry my laptop and clothes for two nights and not check a bag at the airport. This worked perfectly and looks nice." — Angie J Get it from Amazon for $22.79+ (available in four sizes and 40 styles). 2. And a fanny pack that can keep your most valuable items strapped close to your chest — it's necessary while you weave through busy airport terminals and also great for getting around the whole "only one personal item per person" thing. With four zipper pockets to store all of your miscellaneous necessities, as well as a keychain hook, this bag is perfect for your excursions too! Elizabeth Lilly / BuzzFeed See what BuzzFeed editor Elizabeth Lilly has to say: I wear a size L/XL in clothing and sometimes waist bags just don't work out so well for me. With this one, I can confirm that it fits around my waist comfortably without outerwear, across my chest without outerwear, *and* over a thick coat and several layers. The pockets inside are so handy, and I even had room to spare throughout my Iceland trip. This was the only purse I brought for the whole trip and it performed its job flawlessly. Just make sure that you zip the zipper ALL the way because the zipper goes down pretty far on the sides for easier access to contents. Having my hands free was wildly convenient for a number of reasons, including crawling around inside of an ice cave and putting out my hands for some extra balance while walking on sheets of ice along cliffs. Oh, and it comes in so so SO many colors. Get it from Amazon for $12.98+ (available in 32 styles). 3. A set of packing cubes for smushing down any bulky articles of clothing into the perfect size to slide comfortably into your backpack — no vacuum suctioning required. Promising review:"I travel frequently and travel light. My luggage is usually limited to a backpack that slides under the airline seat. For a two-week European cruise, I added a carry-on rolling suitcase. I've used these packing cubes twice so far, and I am hooked. One cube holds everything (including clothing) I take on a three-night trip. The cube slides into my pack, saving massive amounts of room, and everything is easy to find during travel and at the hotel. Taking out one cube and unzipping is much better than digging through a pack! I will never leave home without these!" — Gura Get a set of four packing cubes (also comes with a laundry bag) from Amazon for $21.99 (available in 25 colors and two sets). 4. A travel-friendly "flossing toothbrush" designed with "floss" bristles to reach between your teeth to banish those lil' bits of food stuck in your grin. It's small, can be folded down, and takes up very little space in your backpack pocket. Chip Skylark himself will burst into song at the sight of your smile. 🎶My shiny teeth and me... 🎶 Amazon Mouthwatchers is a small business established by Ronald Plotka, DDS, that specializes in antimicrobial toothbrushes designed to get deeper cleans even patients with "great" dental hygiene might miss with traditional brush and floss routines. See what BuzzFeed Shopping writer Emma Lord has to say about these: I've been using the regular-sized version of this for over a year now and I LOVE it! I used to use an electric toothbrush, but I feel like I'm getting a much more satisfying clean from these — e specially because I tend to get yellow stains between my teeth no matter *how* much I floss, and these bristles seem to actually target that a lot more effectively. My teeth feel genuinely ~squeaky clean~ after I use this, too. Promising review: "This toothbrush is a new staple item for my on the go Invisalign bag. When I need to brush my teeth and don't have time to floss before putting my aligners back in, this brush makes sure my teeth and mouth feel clean and removes debris in-between my teeth. The bristles are soft, this toothbrush is sturdy and the different lengths of bristles help remove debris or help floss your teeth on the go. This brush also dries very fast in-between uses as well." — V. Brown Get a set of two from Amazon for $9.99. 5. A splurge-worthy set of Cadence Capsules for holding all of your needed toiletries together without hogging all the room in your backpack. The magnetic sides make it possible for you to organize these in the best way needed to fit in your case (without losing one). Plus, they're super sturdy, leak-proof, and even work great for a few days worth of vitamins or holding small jewelry. The "daily routine" set includes four medium and three small capsules as well as magnetic, interchangeable labels for shampoo, conditioner, body wash, moisturizer, cleanser, a pill icon, and a blank tile. They also offer skincare, bodycare, haircare, and pill case sets as well as extenders that increase the size of the capsule! Cadence is an AAPI woman-owned small business that was founded by Steph Hon with the goal of eliminating single-use travel-sized plastics. The containers are made from recycled ocean-bound plastic. Promising review: "These containers are perfectly sized for all my travel needs, whether it's skincare products, vitamins, or even small jewelry pieces. They fit neatly into my carry-on, saving space and keeping everything organized. No more messy toiletry bags or digging around for tiny items — everything has its place with Cadence. The quality of the materials is top-notch. The containers snap together securely, making it easy to keep them organized and prevent any spills. It's such a clever and practical feature that adds a touch of luxury to the whole experience. Plus, it's oddly satisfying to hear the little click when they snap into place! "I'll be honest — the price did give me pause at first. These containers are definitely an investment, but I can confidently say they're worth it. The peace of mind they provide, knowing my products are safe and secure during travel, is priceless. Plus, the high-quality build means they'll last for many trips to come, making them a smart long-term investment." — Randy G. Get the daily routine set from Amazon for $138 (available in five colors and other sets). 6. Or a TSA-approved 16-piece travel toiletries set so you can minimize the amount of space your bathroom essentials take up in your backpack. These bottles are perfect for carrying all your fave beauty products and are set in a leakproof bag, so you don't have to worry about getting shampoo stains on your clothing as you jog through the halls of the airport, tryna make it on time for your flight. The set comes with four bottles, four jars, two spray bottles, two scoopers (to help transfer creams), one funnel (to help transfer liquids), one cleaning brush, a page of labels, and a bag that everything fits in. Promising review:"I've purchased a lot of different travel sets for my toiletries over the years. Inevitably, they are hard to fill and tend to leak. This set was magic! The wide mouth made it easy to fill from a larger bottle, and the little scoops made transferring creams to the jar containers very easy and with much less mess. The only con (hardly worth mentioning) is that once you squeeze the bottle, it takes a few minutes to expand with air again, so the sides are a bit sunken. I solved that by unscrewing the top just a bit for a quick release of the vacuum pressure. I had no leaks, and plenty of containers for every toiletry." — MDC Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in eight colors). 7. A waterproof travel cable organizer to keep all of your favorite small gadgets and chargers on hand and keep the mess of wires compact so that they're not taking up any much-needed space in your bag. Amazon Promising review:"Excellent for travel! Nice to have a go-to individual pouch especially for the chords. Husband travels for business and this is a must, so if he's in an airport or hotel he can locate them easily and they don't get mixed with others." — Brent Webb Get it from Amazon for $9.85+ (available in three sizes and 19 colors). 8. A foldable jewelry organizer for storing your absolute *best* of friends. This folded case has several pockets and slits, so you can store anything from rings to earrings to necklaces without having to carry several bulky boxes that take up too much room. Don't deal with the stress of misplacing any of your favorite pieces; keep them on hand for those fun nights out! Promising review:"My favorite traveling item! Before, I was sticking jewelry in ziplock bags and in my suitcase, and I'd lose them in there, or they'd tangle, and I was limited on what I could bring. I bring this with me every time we go out of town for business." — Kristy and Jose Get it from Amazon for $15.99+ (available in two sizes and six colors). 9. A compact I Dew Care "Tap Secret" mattifying powder shampoo so you don't need to carry around a bottle of your favorite aerosol version that's liable to take up wayyy too much space in your already overpacked backpack. This lil' baddie will become your absolute favorite as it comes in a compact travel case, soaks up excess hair oil, and volumizes your locks so that your hairstyle will get compliments no matter where you go! Amazon This powder shampoo is benzene-free! Promising review: "I was looking for a dry shampoo that would be easy to use on the go for a trip I was taking. I had no issues taking this through TSA and it was so easy to use on the go. You literally just pat the poof on your scalp and then rub the powder in. I do have black hair so dry shampoo is usually very visible in my hair, but I didn't have any harder time than usual rubbing this powder in. It did a really good job of soaking up all the oil and giving my hair volume. I'm not a fan of the price for the amount that you get, but it is lasting longer than I thought it would. I would definitely recommend and will purchase again." — Teresa Get it from Amazon for $18 (available in six shades). 10. A foldable water bottle to take up very little space when every square inch counts — it'll be incredibly helpful when you want to take a bottle of water onto the plane but don't want to spend triple the regular price for a bottle at the gate. Plus, it's lead-, latex-, and BPA-free, dishwasher safe, and can be used for hot or cold drinks. Promising review:"Bought this water bottle for a trip to Disney World. At home, I always have my 40-ounce water bottle nearby. I was worried about walking around the park and not having quick access to water on those hot park days. We only brought a fanny pack in and didn't have room for something big. This was perfect! It wasn't too overbearing to hold and was super easy to fold up and throw in the bag when not in use. My only regret is I didn't buy two!" — E. Alarcón Get it from Amazon for $8.29+ (available in three sizes/styles and 14 colors). 11. A travel-friendly blanket-slash-pillow so you're always comfy, even when those budget airline seats seem to be getting harder and harder each time you book them. You can use it as either a blanket or fold it into a pillow, and it even has a little clip so you can attach it to your backpack! Amazon EverSnug is a small biz specializing in travel pillow/blankets. Check it out on TikTok. Promising review: "I have never missed taking this blanket on a trip and it has saved me from cold planes to hotels. It's soft, comfortable, and convenient. Easy to clean. Buying more!" — Hayley Get it from Amazon for $29.95 (available in seven colors). 12. An international power converter to prove that you are always prepared no matter which country you're in, as it works in over 160 different countries! Making an unscheduled trip you weren't quite planning on for the holidays? Don't worry about carrying several different chargers or converters; this one device works pretty much everywhere. See it in action on TikTok. Promising review:"Prior to this purchase, we've killed an appliance or two in overseas travel. We bought this for a trip to the Philippines. It worked like a champ! We charged our iPhones and other high-end devices with peace of mind. My wife used her flat iron with this just fine. I like that it has plug adapters for outlets around the world, so I know wherever we go, we can use this. I recommend this to anyone doing international travel." — David Aiken Get it from Amazon for $39.98. 13. And a 3-in-1 foldable magnetic wireless charging station so you don't have to debate which of your chargers you need to leave behind — because carrying three separate wires takes up a ridiculous amount of space. This can charge your phone, smartwatch, and earbuds all at once! Promising review: " This is my new favorite travel gadget! Super compact and sleek, so far, no issues with charging my iPhone, Apple Watch, and AirPods, and performance remains consistent. This charger has eliminated at least two additional cords, and I deeply appreciate not having to shuffle chargers around when packing for travel. The charging light has an on/off feature by the watch pad, so I'm able to keep it on the bedside table at night without a bright green light shining on my face. It's also hard to overlook when packing back up to leave a hotel, which might be the second most important feature! Overall a great value for the money and such a great tool for staying organized during travel." — Cassandra Get it from Amazon for $29.99 (available in two colors). 14. A handy travel wallet to hold all of your cards, money, and travel documents. It's thin enough to slip into the tiniest of pouches, and this RFID-blocking case can help protect your sensitive information as you catch that last-minute red-eye flight back to your hometown. Promising review:"I bought this wallet right before a business trip. I wanted something that was small, but still had room to carry necessities. This wallet did that and more. Besides my ID and credit cards, I carried my passport and organized my receipt s. It held a lot but didn't take up much room in my purse. It was also cute to carry alone as a small clutch. I'm actually planning to buy more as gifts." — Sherlethia Get it from Amazon for $13.99 (available in 29 colors). 15. And a waterproof family travel document holder for the parent of the friend group (or just parent in general), who needs to keep the whole party's passports and boarding passes safe on your travels — so that one friend doesn't accidentally misplace their documents while going through security. Promising review:" I took my kids on their first international trip, and this thing was a total lifesaver. It fits easily in a fanny pack or small purse for easy access, and it fit my whole family's passports, vaccine cards, boarding passes, and a pen with plenty of room for cash and cards if you decide to use it as a wallet for your trip. It made getting checked in a breeze and helped my family keep everything organized." — Kevin Garcia Get it from Amazon for $9.99+ (available in five colors). 16. An Alleyoop 3-in-1 travel razor that's got everything you need for a quick shave on the go: a refillable spray bottle for easy skin prep, a shea butter moisturizing bar, and two triple-blade razor cartridges. This compact razor is the perfect addition to toss into your backpack. Promising review:" I recently traveled and had no problem with TSA. I like the moisturizer; you can just rub it in. If you have coarse hair, the blades may dull sooner than later. I preferred just to wet my leg and then spray the water. It seemed to get more of a lather for me. Super convenient!!" — Western Pa mom/grandma Get it from Amazon for $15 (available in pink and blue). 17. And the 4-in-1 Alleyoop Pen Pal so you're not lugging around a packed bag full of makeup — this one lil' pen has eyeliner, brow liner, lip liner, and a highlighter all in one. Just toss it into your fanny pack so you can make a quick touchup on the go. Amazon Promising review:"I love that this product is an all-in-one! It saves me so much space when I travel, and the products are high-quality too. The lightest brow pencil is still a little dark for blondes like me, but the other shades complement me perfectly. I like the lip liner the best; it easily elevates a simple lip look!" — Sam Get it from Amazon for $20 (available in three shades). 18. A makeup-removing cloth you can easily carry instead of lugging around a huge pack of disposable wipes. This simple washcloth can safely go through TSA (since your regular full-size bottle of liquid certainly cannot), and all it needs is some water to wipe your face clean. Amazon, Promising review: "This product...I have no clue how this works, but it does! Let me start by saying I was wearing a full face of makeup. I mean foundation, contour highlight, eyeliner, seriously the whole nine yards. All I did was wet it and wiped my face, my jaw literally dropped. This is hands-down my favorite makeup remover. The best part is that they are reusable so you don't have to keep buying those expensive disposables that leave your face feeling greasy." — Heather Griffith Get it from Amazon for $6.99+ (available in six colors and in packs of three or six). 19. A fold-up duffel because let's be honest, you're sooo gonna end up bringing back a lot more than you came with — don't you just love shopping sprees?? Pack this on your trip folded up, and bring this duffel back on the plane filled with all your new things as your personal item. When not in use, this can be folded down into an itsy-bitsy lil' pouch, is water and tear-resistant, and has a side pocket for shoes! Plus, it has a strap on the side, so you can easily slide it onto your luggage handle! Promising review:"We bought this to take with us when we visited our daughter, who is studying abroad for four months. We figured she would not have enough room in her luggage when it was time to come home. Folded up, this bag was so compact and lightweight that it took up almost no room in our own luggage for the trip over. Then, sure enough, she had a ton of clothes and shoes to send home with us and packed this bag full. We checked the bag, and it made it through two international flights without a scratch. The BEST feature is the side strap that allows you to slide it over the handle of a rolling suitcase so you don't have to carry it. This is probably the most practical and the best-value item I have purchased in years." — Tosa Mom Get it from Amazon for $16.99+ (available in 13 colors and patterns). 20. A set of travel perfume carriers that can hold all of your favorite eau de parfums no matter where in the world you may end up. They're incredibly small and durable — these bottles ensure you can pack a variety of your favorite scents while taking up very little space. They're incredibly easy to use and refill, with zero leakage! Just press the bottom of the tube against your favorite perfume gauge and keep clicking until it is refilled. No need to carefully pour and waste your favorite perfume on the bathroom tile, just click it and you're good to go! Promising review:"Soooo easy to use! Fit every single one of my various perfumes, expensive to inexpensive! They're small to fit right into an already packed makeup bag or purse pocket. I have a varying schedule and feel my perfume is the topper to a pulled together look - so knowing I can rotate through all my scents easily each day is a nice little perk!" — Denys Davis Get four from Amazon for $7.99+ (available in three color packs and a pack of five) 21. Tide sink packets because it is absolutely necessary when you want to pack as few clothes as possible and don't want to pack 30 different undies for your trip. Just rip open one of the packs and pour it into any sink full of water — instant suds for a wash on the go. Tide Each pack comes with three packets. And, because they *are* liquid, they'll easily slide into the side of your toiletries bag. Promising review: "I used these during a month in Italy and two months in a nursing home when I was recovering from a broken leg. They are a perfect size. Each packet was good for two washes of my delicates. I folded the top down and stored it upright in a plastic bag for use for the second washing. Super useful and convenient. I highly recommend for the traveler who likes to travel light. I was gone a month and only took a backpack and a suitcase that stowed under the airplane seat. So frequent washing was necessary to not offend my fellow travelers. These were perfect." — Gigi Get three packs from Amazon for $4.03. 22. A compact travel towel that will prove itself to be your saving grace when you are unable to find anything to dry yourself with after taking an unscheduled dip at the beach. The towel is lightweight and fast to dry, so it is easy to pack and soft to the touch! (Bonus: It's sand-resistant and machine-washable!) Promising review: "This is an excellent product, easy to use, absorbency is great, thin, carry case takes up little room, and it dries quickly. Terrific for travel." — Amazon Customer OP Get it from Amazon for $8.99+ (available in 16 colors and six sizes). 23. A mini lightweight flat iron so you're not lugging around a heavy straightener across international lines when you're well aware that you couldn't possibly survive without touching up your hair before touring the city. Plus, it is dual voltage, so you can use it in whichever corner of the world you find yourself in! It also comes with a heat-resistant pouch for easy carrying! Promising review:"Loved having this on my recent trip to Ireland. So glad I purchased something with dual voltage so there were no hair worries while traveling. It works well and takes up little space. Plan for it to take longer to style your hair; it's small. But it doesn't take a lot more time. Glad I purchased!" — Ashley Get it from Amazon for $16.99 (available in three colors). 24. Mini Wet Brushes that detangle just as well as your favorite brush at home — and it's itty bitty enough to fit in your backpack no matter how much you overpacked. Now, you can have this puppy on hand for those beach days when you need to tame your curls after a dive into the salty sea. I personally always keep one on hand when I need to travel because they don't tug on my curls like many other brushes seem to do. Promising review: "I use this brush for travel, and I keep another in my gym bag, but I also use the full-sized one in my shower at home. This brush is perfect for curlies because we can't dry brush our hair - with this, we can brush out your curls while wet and lathered in conditioner. After that, just rinse, scrunch, and air dry! I really love the mini-sized one that is very light and small, but it still gets the job done. (And I have a LOT of hair!) They dry quickly as well. I fully recommend it!" — Rachel Get it from Amazon for $6.89+ (available in packs of two or three and 13 colors). 25. A pack of Starface acne stickers so you can take care of those pesky little pimples on the go. It comes in a *CUTE* carrying case with a mirror inside, as well as 34 stickers that can be refilled, so you always have something on hand! Promising review: "I love this !! Cute and compact! It comes with a mirror. All you have to do after you buy this is just get refills. That's why the ones inside are a different color. I bought them for my teenager, and he loves them. I use them too as well, lol I love these super cute, and you can just toss them in your makeup bag, purse, backpack, etc. Definitely worth it!!" — Kelli/Kevin Get 32 patches from Amazon for $14.97.
